Tag Archives: Colorado Business

Ruoff Mortgage Selects ACES Quality Management & Control to Improve Loan Quality Enterprise-wide Across Multiple Product Lines

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced that Ruoff Mortgage Company, Inc. (Ruoff Mortgage), a full-service residential mortgage lender, has selected its flagship audit platform ACES Quality Management & Control® Software to support the company's origination and servicing quality control (QC) audits.

"By prioritizing compliance and loan quality, lenders can gain deeper business insights while staying ahead of ever-changing regulatory requirements. Given Ruoff Mortgage's 70 retail locations throughout the Midwest, as well as its online reach to 45 states, there's a significant amount of compliance ground to cover," said ACES CEO Trevor Gauthier. "Our technology enables lenders to ensure compliance at all levels while also providing lenders with the flexibility to align our system with their unique needs and internal structure to improve internal reviews, communication and defect remediation, with the overall goal of reducing risk and enhancing loan quality."

Ruoff Mortgage selected ACES to help support its quality assurance, quality control and internal audit processes enterprise-wide to help track loan quality and effectively and quickly identify, communicate and remediate exceptions. Using ACES managed questionnaires, action planning capabilities and the ACES CONNECT communication portal, Ruoff Mortgage can seamlessly review 300 loans monthly while communicating report findings internally and reviewing its quality control and assurance procedures.

"ACES will tremendously improve our audit accuracy and produce clear, easy-to-read reports in minutes," said Diana Ringer, Chief Compliance Officer at Ruoff Mortgage. "It will help increase productivity, efficiency and quality, all while controlling overall costs."

About Ruoff:

Ruoff Mortgage is a full-service residential mortgage company with 70+ retail locations and originates in 45 states through their online consumer direct division. They have been recognized by several prominent industry publications such as the Scotsman Guide's list of Top Mortgage Lenders and Mortgage Executive Magazine's Top 100 Mortgage Companies in America and have been listed on the Inc. 5000's Fastest Growing Companies for nine years in a row. Ruoff Mortgage has a 98.2% customer satisfaction rating, as compiled by CX leader, Customerville. For more information, visit www.ruoff.com.

About ACES Quality Management:

ACES Quality Management is the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry. The nation's most prominent lenders, servicers and financial institutions rely on ACES Quality Management & Control® Software to improve audit throughput and quality while controlling costs, including:

* 4 of the top 5 and more than 50% of the top 50 independent mortgage lenders;

* 7 of the top 10 loan servicers;

* 11 of the top 30 banks; and

* 1 of the top 3 credit unions in the USA.

Unlike other quality control platforms, only ACES delivers Flexible Audit Technology®, which gives independent mortgage lenders and financial institutions the ability to easily manage and customize ACES to meet their business needs without having to rely on IT or other outside resources. Using a customer-centric approach, ACES clients get responsive support and access to our experts to maximize their investment. For more information, visit www.acesquality.com or call 1-800-858-1598.

ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced that Ruoff Mortgage Company, Inc. (Ruoff Mortgage), a full-service residential mortgage lender, has selected its flagship audit platform ACES Quality Management & Control® Software to support the company's origination and servicing quality control (QC) audits.

Related link: https://www.acesquality.com/

Kiosk Association June 2022: ADA for Self-Service and EV Charging Stations

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- Self-Service Kiosks Digital Signage EV Charging News: This month we've launched a new clearinghouse for EV Charging Stations (https://ev-charging.stations.org). EV charging infrastructure now has significant funding from the NEVI Infrastructure Act.

Funds will be released before the end of 2022. Existing ADA regulations such as ADA 2010 and Section 508 apply. We have a complete writeup on kma.global. We predict that both the U.S. Access Board and ANSI will weigh in on EV-related before the end of 2022.

As part of our EV kickoff we have also put together an EV charging market snapshot reflecting current SLED and FED opportunities for EV charging infrastructure (which have "soared" as the media likes phrasing). Currently $2B in just these markets for active RFPs.

Our ADA Committee is evolving to keep pace with the anticipated regulatory actions in this self-service space. As co-chairman, Nicky Shaw of Storm Interface and Michael O'Hare of TechForAll Consulting have four initiatives they are in process of executing.

1 - Expand our sounding board to officially include organizations such as the NFB, AFB, Canadian groups and the RNIB

2 - Formalize and automate our existing educational communications to procurement entities in the SLED space

3 - Expand the working groups to include new self-service segments such as Smart Cities, robotics and EV Charging

4 - Formalize our industry input from current sponsors such as Panasonic, LG and Intel.

Recent Posts

* Digital Signage Software - Case Study - London Underground
* EV Charging Market Numbers & Charts
* Digital Signage Awards - Best of Show InfoComm 2022
* Kiosks History - What Was the First Zebra Kiosk Printer?
* Hotel Kiosks - American Kiosks and meldCX Partner
* ADA Kiosks - Canada ADA Accessibility Plan
* Healthcare - The Role of Kiosks: Scoping Review
* ADA - Kiosk Retrofit for Usability & Accessibility Webinar
* EV Charging Station News - News Summary Added
* Digital Signage - InfoComm & LG Booth

Recent EV Charging Posts

* Tesla Cameras Are Coming From Samsung
* EV Battery 98 Percent Capacity in Less Than Ten Minutes
* PennDOT to distribute millions on electric vehicle charging stations
* EV Charging Vehicle Market - June Snapshot
* EV Charging - Samsung and IoTecha Join Forces

Learn more: https://kma.global/faq/ev-charging-what-about-electric-charging-stations-are-they-subject-to-kiosk-regulations/

For more information contact info@kioskindustry.org or visit https://kioskindustry.org/. Since 1996 for 26 years serving the self-service technology market. For a complete list of verticals visit The Industry Group.

Self-Service Kiosks Digital Signage EV Charging News: This month we've launched a new clearinghouse for EV Charging Stations. EV charging infrastructure now has significant funding from the NEVI Infrastructure Act.

Related link: https://kioskindustry.org/

Financial Advisor Keith Eckhardt of Edward Jones Receives Certified Exit Planning Advisor® Designation

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- Financial Advisor Keith Eckhardt of the financial services firm Edward Jones in Colorado Springs has earned the Certified Exit Planning Advisor®, or CEPA®, professional designation from the Exit Planning Institute®, a program designed to enhance skills for serving business owner clients.

Study topics include various aspects of business and succession planning, including assessing business readiness and personal financial preparedness; engaging with the client team of CPAs, attorneys, and other professionals; integrating strategies into professional, personal, and financial goals; and building and preserving family wealth for future generations.

Learn more: https://www.edwardjones.com/us-en/financial-advisor/keith-eckhardt

His office is located at 1763 South 8th St, Ste 1, Colorado Springs, CO 80905.

Edward Jones, a FORTUNE 500 firm, provides financial services in the U.S. and through its affiliate in Canada. The firm's nearly 19,000 financial advisors serve more than 8 million clients with a total of $1.7 trillion in client assets under care. Edward Jones' purpose is to partner for a positive impact to improve the lives of its clients and colleagues, and together, better our communities and society. Through the dedication of the firm's 50,000 associates and our branch presence in 68 percent of U.S. counties, the firm is committed to helping more people achieve financially what is most important to them. The Edward Jones website is https://www.edwardjones.com/ and its recruiting website is https://careers.edwardjones.com/. Member SIPC.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Keith Eckhardt
719-578-5833

RELATED LINKS:

https://exit-planning-institute.org/

https://www.visitcos.com/

Financial Advisor Keith Eckhardt of the financial services firm Edward Jones in Colorado Springs has earned the Certified Exit Planning Advisor®, or CEPA®, professional designation from the Exit Planning Institute®, a program designed to enhance skills for serving business owner clients.

Related link: https://www.edwardjones.com/

Q4 2021 Critical Defect Rate Rose to 1.95%, Per ACES Quality Management Mortgage QC Industry Trends Report

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced the release of its quarterly ACES Mortgage QC Industry Trends Report covering the fourth quarter (Q4) and full calendar year (CY) of 2021. The latest report analyzes post-closing quality control data derived from ACES Quality Management & Control® software.

Notable findings from the Q4 2021 report include:

* The overall critical defect increased 0.08% to 1.95%, a change of 4% from the prior quarter, as lenders transitioned to a purchase-heavy lending environment.

* Income/Employment defects declined in overall share but remained the No. 1 most frequently cited issue, even after pandemic-related verification issues had subsided.

* Appraisal-related defects rose in Q4 2021 after experiencing minimal levels throughout the last refinance cycle.

* Purchase review share was 20 points higher than refinances.

* Conventional lending share is now 8 points below the pandemic peak amid a mini-resurgence in FHA lending.

"While the overall defect rate rose slightly in Q4 2021, defect rates have improved in totality when comparing 2021 to 2020," said ACES Executive Vice President Nick Volpe. "Given the uptick in Q4 and the persistent issues we're still seeing in the Income/Employment category, lenders should focus their efforts on shoring up this component of their underwriting process."

Findings for the Q4 2021 ACES Mortgage QC Industry Trends Report are based on post-closing quality control data derived from the ACES Quality Management and Control® benchmarking system and incorporate data from prior quarters and/or calendar years, where applicable. All reviews and defect data evaluated for the report were based on loan audits selected by lenders for full file reviews.

"As lenders battle over volume, quality control and compliance teams are more important than ever to ensure that the loans that make it through the door meet all regulatory and eligibility requirements," said ACES CEO Trevor Gauthier. "On the origination side, we're seeing the credit box expand to help qualify more borrowers and maintain share. And with 1.3 million loans still in active forbearance along with the renewed focus on servicing from the CFPB and other regulators, servicers and lenders alike must be diligent in their compliance practices to survive this increased level of scrutiny. Leveraging a system like ACES helps both sides of the house ensure they are auditing to the best and most up-to-date standards."

Mortgage QC Industry Trends Reports are available for download, free of charge, at https://www.acesquality.com/resources/reports.

About ACES Quality Management:

ACES Quality Management is the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry. The nation's most prominent lenders, servicers and financial institutions rely on ACES Quality Management & Control® software to improve audit throughput and quality while controlling costs, including:

* 4 of the top 5 and more than 50% of the top 50 independent mortgage lenders;

* 7 of the top 10 loan servicers;

* 11 of the top 30 banks; and

* 1 of the top 3 credit unions in the USA.

Unlike other quality control platforms, only ACES delivers Flexible Audit Technology, which gives independent mortgage lenders and financial institutions the ability to easily manage and customize ACES to meet their business needs without having to rely on IT or other outside resources. Using a customer-centric approach, ACES clients get responsive support and access to our experts to maximize their investment. For more information, visit www.acesquality.com or call 1-800-858-1598.

ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced the release of its quarterly ACES Mortgage QC Industry Trends Report covering the fourth quarter (Q4) and full calendar year (CY) of 2021. The latest report analyzes post-closing quality control data derived from ACES Quality Management & Control® software.

Related link: https://www.acesquality.com/

ACES Quality Management Unveils Certified ACES Administrator Program at Inaugural ACES ENGAGE Event in Colorado Springs

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced the launch of its Certified ACES Administrator (CAA) program during its inaugural ACES ENGAGE event, held May 23-25, 2022 at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs.

"The Certified ACES Administrator Program has been in the works for months, so it was particularly gratifying for us to unveil this to our dedicated ACES user base during our first ACES ENGAGE event," ACES Executive Vice President of Operations Sharon Reichhardt. "Our customers are the core of everything we do, and this program was thoughtfully designed to provide ongoing integrity and value to ACES users."

The CAA program equips administrators with the best practices, processes, workflows and troubleshooting expertise to guide internal teams on the highest and best use of the ACES platform. Upon completion of the CAA program, administrators will receive a digital certification badge and a digital certificate that includes date of certification and date of expiration to keep for personal records or professional use.

In addition to the announcement regarding the CAA program, ACES ENGAGE attendees also heard from an array of industry experts. Mortgage Bankers Association economist Eddie Seiler, Fannie Mae's Senior Director of Loan Quality Duane Gilkison, Ballard Spahr attorney Richard Andreano and SWS Risk Advisory's Steve Spies addressed topics such as housing and consumer finance industry trends, the current economic outlook, quality control, fraud/risk management and compliance.

The event's keynote speaker Aron Ralston, the author of Between a Rock and a Hard Place and the basis for the feature film 127 Hours starring James Franco, shared his story of survival and what it taught him about overcoming life's challenges and struggles with the right mindset. Attendees also received an overview of the current ACES product roadmap and previews of upcoming features and functionality to be added later in the year.

"ACES ENGAGE was a huge success, and we are thankful that so many of our users, prospects and partners could join us for this one-of-a-kind event," ACES CEO Trevor Gauthier said. "We are constantly looking for ways in which we can deliver more value to our customer base. Given that our NPS score increased to 88 post-event, I feel confident that we delivered on that promise and look forward to delivering even more value at next year's ACES ENGAGE."

ACES ENGAGE will return to The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs on May 17-19, 2023.

About ACES Quality Management:

ACES Quality Management is the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry. The nation's most prominent lenders, servicers and financial institutions rely on ACES Quality Management & Control® Software to improve audit throughput and quality while controlling costs, including:

* 4 of the top 5 and more than 50% of the top 50 independent mortgage lenders;

* 7 of the top 10 loan servicers;

* 11 of the top 30 banks; and

* 1 of the top 3 credit unions in the USA.

Unlike other quality control platforms, only ACES delivers Flexible Audit Technology®, which gives independent mortgage lenders and financial institutions the ability to easily manage and customize ACES to meet their business needs without having to rely on IT or other outside resources. Using a customer-centric approach, ACES clients get responsive support and access to our experts to maximize their investment. For more information, visit https://www.acesquality.com/ or call 1-800-858-1598.

ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced the launch of its Certified ACES Administrator (CAA) program during its inaugural ACES ENGAGE event, held May 23-25, 2022 at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs.

Related link: https://www.acesquality.com/

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies Announces Summit to Conserve North America’s Central Grasslands

FORT COLLINS, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- More than 200 organizations across eight sectors representing Mexico, Canada, the U.S., and Indigenous Nations, came together for two days in May for a multi-national summit to commit to conserve North America's Central Grasslands. Hosted by the Grasslands Roadmap Planning Committee, the announcement comes from Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, one of the convening summit partners.

More than 50 million acres of grassland have been lost in the last 10 years alone and the tension between conserving and developing grasslands to meet the needs of a growing population has only increased, exacerbated further by the impacts of climate change.

Birds are good indicators of environmental health and since 1970, grassland bird species have seen a 53-percent reduction in their populations - that's more than 720 million birds. This early warning sign reveals that these diminishing grasslands are being so severely impacted by human activities that they no longer support the same robust wildlife populations they once did.

The Central Grasslands span hundreds of millions of acres across the continent's interior and are one of North America's largest and most vital ecosystems. These Grasslands support crucial environmental functions like water supply, soil health and biodiversity, and are essential for agriculture, food security and supporting rural communities and economies. And, as these grasslands disappear, many benefits they provide are lost.

For example, healthy grasslands filter sediment, nutrients, and bacteria that otherwise end up in waterways, threatening fish and drinking water. Grasslands improve air quality and help mitigate the effects of climate change by sequestering carbon and increasing resilience against drought, fire and wind erosion.

So, what can be done to reverse the trends? That was the main driver behind the Central Grasslands Roadmap and recent summit meeting.

"Many are working to conserve our grasslands, but our disparate efforts are not adding up to change the trajectory and ensure resilient grasslands for the future. We have to prioritize what needs to happen, from funding and policy to partnerships and engagement, to science and conservation delivery - all aligned for the future," Tammy VerCauteren, Roadmap convener and executive director at Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, says.

Collectively, they're working to make a movement to save the grasslands and the people and wildlife that depend on them.

"Together we can ensure access, opportunities and dedicated resources that are relevant and honor cultural values and knowledge across our three countries and the traditional landscapes of Indigenous/Tribal Sovereign Nations," VerCauteren says.

Graeme Patterson, director, JV8 Central Grasslands Conservation Initiative explains that The Central Grasslands Roadmap has been a model exercise in bringing diverse sectors together to chart a path for conservation.

"The complex and painstaking process of giving everyone voice in the Roadmap development will pay huge dividends as all stakeholders will see themselves in the process and be ready to act," Patterson says. "Successful conservation is dependent on true collaboration and thoughtful planning. Together, we will succeed."

About The Central Grasslands Roadmap:

The Central Grasslands Roadmap was launched in 2020 to guide and inform innovative and connected conservation for the benefit of grassland birds, pollinators and mammals, as well as to ensure viable human communities across the landscape of one of North America's most biogeographically unique areas.

The Roadmap community includes a cross-section of leaders and experts that live and work in the Central Grasslands - including producers on working land, Indigenous/First Nations, federal, state and provincial agencies, foundations, industry, and nongovernmental organizations including land trusts, tribal representatives and academia.

About Bird Conservancy of the Rockies:

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies is one of 25 Roadmap planning committee member organizations. The Colorado-based nonprofit works to conserve birds and their habitats through an integrated approach of science, education and land stewardship. Their work extends from the Rockies to the Great Plains, Mexico and beyond.

MORE INFORMATION:

The Grasslands Roadmap: https://www.grasslandsroadmap.org/

Photos (more available on request): https://www.grasslandsroadmap.org/digitalmediaresources

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies: https://www.birdconservancy.org/

More than 200 organizations across eight sectors representing Mexico, Canada, the U.S., and Indigenous Nations, came together for two days in May for a multi-national summit to commit to conserve North America's Central Grasslands. Hosted by the Grasslands Roadmap Planning Committee, the announcement comes from Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, one of the convening summit partners.

Related link: https://www.birdconservancy.org/

Kiosk Association Announces May 2022 News – NRA Chicago Preview

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- May 2022 Self-Service News - Association of Kiosk Manufacturers. Since 1996, for 26 years serving the self-service technology market. Here is our collected information for the upcoming National Restaurant Show in Chicago. It includes:

* Exhibits you'll see in our 10x20 booth 6576 in Tech Pavilion (North)

* Information on discounted and/or free passes to the show

* Social events going on such as DSF get-together at local bar (sponsored by Intel) and the RTN Restaurant Technology Network happy hour

* Speaking events - Matt Ater talks alongside Kelsey Hall of McDonald's

* List of member exhibitors at the show including Intel and Panasonic

* We can help with passes to show and/or social events as members of those groups

* List of assets and downloads to make life easy if not traveling to Chicago.

Learn more: https://kioskindustry.org/national-restaurant-association-kiosk-trade-show/

ISE 2022 in Barcelona -- over 40K in attendance, so not sure if the next time it will be Amsterdam. The highlight for us is a very nice video by LG Business Solutions showing their new competing kiosk (with assistive tech unlike Samsung) along with some stellar new release outdoor and indoor displays. The 400 NIT indoor 110 inch for sports bars in particular. Included is our perspective on where the market is, and where it is heading.

InfoComm in June is the next show (Las Vegas) and we are an official media sponsor. We have begun our preview post.

RECENT POSTS:

* LG ISE 2022 with LG Kiosk, Outdoor Menu Boards
* Self-Order Restaurant Software - Acquire Digital
* InfoComm 2022 Spotlights - June 8-10 at LVCC
* Pitney Bowes Kiosk Services - Kiosk Service Solution Introduction
* Digital Menu Boards - Everything You Ever Wanted to Know
* Panera's chief digital officer on the future of restaurant tech
* Kiosk Cost News - Self-Service Kiosk Pricing Guide
* Restaurant Tech Trends w/ Panera and Chipotle + NRA Preview
* McDonalds Kiosk - Vispero Recognized by McDonalds for Accessibility
* Automated Bar for Sports Fans w/ Facial Recognition & Age Verification
* EV Charging Stations - California Study Says Many Don't Work
* Digital Menu Board Cost FAQ - How Much They Cost and Installation
* Kaiser Permanente Patient Check-in Kiosks Video

For more information contact info@kioskindustry.org or visit https://kioskindustry.org/. Since 1996 for 26 years serving the self-service technology market. For a complete list of verticals visit The Industry Group.

May 2022 Self-Service News - Association of Kiosk Manufacturers. Since 1996, for 26 years serving the self-service technology market. Here is our collected information for the upcoming National Restaurant Show in Chicago.

Related link: https://kioskindustry.org/

Macrostax, the No. 1 Macro App, Celebrates Fifth Anniversary with $17 Million in Lifetime Revenue

BOULDER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Macrostax team celebrates the Fifth Anniversary of the No. 1 Macro app on the market, not only earning $17 million in lifetime revenue, but also helping to transform the lives of their 150,000 members. This is the first app of its kind to take the guesswork out of "what to eat," simplifying the macro counting process with customized nutrition plans and auto-portioned recipes.

CEO and Founder Lindsey Love Jenks officially launched Macrostax in May 2017. She started with only $5,000 in her pocket and, to this day, has had no outside investment capital. In 2021, Macrostax took home $5.2 million in gross revenue.

Macrostax tells members what, when and how much to eat to lose weight and keep it off, without restricting foods. The program is based on long-term sustainability, which not only allows its members more freedom and satisfaction, but also sets it apart from other diet programs.

"I knew the next step on my journey would revolve around helping people become fitter and healthier through nutrition. I'd seen the impact proper fueling made in my own life and this was something I felt called to share with as many people as possible," Jenks said. "I'd tried every diet under the sun; paleo, low carb, keto, diet pills, you name it. Nothing worked until I started counting macros. It completely changed my life. I am eating 1,000 calories more, including more than 200g of carbs a day and losing fat, getting lighter and PR'ing left and right. Macrostax has revolutionized my relationship with food."

Macrostax members are able to enjoy custom macro plans, perfectly portioned macro-friendly recipes, track progress to visually see results, and can chat with a nutrition coach. These personalized nutrition plans are easy and affordable, with yearly plans beginning at $9.99 per month or lifetime plans for $199.

Macrostax's mission is to make it easy for anyone who wants to live a healthier lifestyle to eat what they love and achieve their goals, through the transformational power of nutrition.

Macrostax is perfect for competitive athletes to stay-at-home moms who want to get back in shape, and everyone in between. To date, more than 150,000 people have trusted Macrostax to help them achieve their fitness goals, enabling them to lose fat, be more energetic, all while eating what they love. Clients include world champion and Olympian Georganne Moline and 4x CrossFit Games Athlete Amanda Barnhart, and more.

Jenks has been involved with sports since she was 6 years old, and fitness and nutrition have always been important to her. But it wasn't until she was 21 years old after losing her mother to Type 2 Diabetes that she decided to make it her mission to help people live healthier lives.

After earning a bachelor's degree in Exercise and Sports Science from the University of Florida, she began her journey in helping others to reach their fitness goals through opening one of the first CrossFit gyms in Orlando, Fla. and also starting a personal training business.

"I am confident we are going to change the world by helping people take charge of their nutrition in a way that is sustainable," Jenks said. "Every time a client says Macrostax has changed their life, I know the effort was 100% worth it. I am so honored to have built a company that gives people the results they deserve without feeling guilty for eating foods they love."

The Macrostax web app can be purchased by visiting www.macrostax.com and is currently available on desktop or any mobile device.

About Macrostax:

Macrostax is the No.1 macro-counting app that helps clients reach their health and fitness goals all while eating what they love. Through custom nutrition plans, the app tells members what, when and how much to eat to lose weight and keep it off. The app provides an affordable and personalized way to count macronutrients or "macros," which includes protein, carbohydrates and fats, all without the expense of a coach. It includes perfectly portioned recipes to take the guesswork out of nutrition that are easy and family friendly.

Macrostax is based out of Boulder, CO. Call (352) 339-5517, email lindsey@macrostax.com or visit https://www.macrostax.com/ for more information.

The Macrostax team celebrates the Fifth Anniversary of the No. 1 Macro app on the market, not only earning $17 million in lifetime revenue, but also helping to transform the lives of their 150,000 members. This is the first app of its kind to take the guesswork out of "what to eat," simplifying the macro counting process with customized nutrition plans and auto-portioned recipes.

Related link: https://www.macrostax.com/

Kiosk Association April 2022 Restaurant Tech Trends with Panera and Chipotle + NRA Preview

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- April 2022 Self-Service: The Kiosk Association is pleased to announce we are sponsoring a restaurant tech deep dive with Panera Bread and Chipotle digital strategy officers as part of Nations Restaurant News (NRN). Topics include interactive digital, robotics, pickup lockers for delivery services, EV chargers and more.

Coming Events: National Restaurant Association in Chicago in May is the big upcoming event. See the dual 55 outdoor drive-thru digital menu from Keyser, a small 15" AIO for self-order and the new Clover Kiosk by Nanonation (using the Samsung kiosk). There is a social event being put on Saturday night by Intel and if interested in attended email us.

ISE in Barcelona is in May. And then June 8, 2022 is InfoComm 2022. AV is huge and especially for all forms of menu displays for outdoor (think Drive-Thru which is 75% of sales?). Big screens for EV charging stations at places like Walgreens, Kohls, and now restaurants. The free advertising on Google Maps doesn't hurt.

New Gold Sponsors

* Pitney Bowes -- service and logistics solutions

* WelcomeWare with live receptionists/customer service

Kiosks

* Restaurant Tech News - Panera's Chief Digital Office Talks Restaurant Tech

* Verizon Pickup Lockers (BOPIS) Go Into 250 Stores

* NRA Kiosk Preview - Self-Order Kiosk for Restaurants - Insight & Acquire

* UPS Kiosk & Digital Signage - Worlds Smallest UPS

* Kiosk Remote Control - touchless operation smartphone

* Tyler Cobb Joins Nanonation

* Outdoor Dual Digital Display at NRA Show

* Clover Kiosk by Nanonation

* National Restaurant Association Kiosk Trade Show Preview

* SUZOHAPP sports betting kiosks & ecosystem at NIGA

Digital Signage

* Digital Signage Best Practice Guide 2022

* AVI-SPL Digital Signage Solutions AVI-SPL Digital Signage Video Tour Offices Dallas

* ISE LG -- ISE Barcelona and LG Preview

* amazon digital signage - Appears to Be a Matter of Time

* Digital Signage Software Solutions - 22Miles Video Catalog

Retail Automation

* Verizon Pickup Lockers - BOPIS in 250 Stores Now

* Pizza Delivery that Robots Cook On The Way

* UK Retail Automation - Video Tour Dr. Martens Shoe Store

* Automated Coffee Brewing Panera Bread & Miso

* ShopTalk 2022 Photo Tour Walk Round

For more information contact Craig Keefner, 720-324-1837, craig@catareno.com or visit https://kioskindustry.org/. Since 1996 for 26 years serving the self-service technology market. Complete list of verticals at The Industry Group.

CONTACT: For latest posts visit our LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/company/kioskindustry/ - or you can email info@kioskindustry.org

RELATED LINKS:

https://industrygroup.org/

https://kioskindustry.org/restaurant-tech-news-paneras-chief-digital-office-talks-restaurant-tech/

https://kioskindustry.org/infocomm-avixa-media-partner/

April 2022 Self-Service: The Kiosk Association is pleased to announce we are sponsoring a restaurant tech deep dive with Panera Bread and Chipotle digital strategy officers as part of Nations Restaurant News (NRN). Topics include interactive digital, robotics, pickup lockers for delivery services, EV chargers and more.

Related link: https://kioskindustry.org/

Critical Defect Rate Drops 18% in Q3 2021, Per ACES Quality Management Mortgage QC Industry Trends Report

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced the release of its quarterly ACES Mortgage QC Trends Report covering the third quarter (Q3) of 2021. The latest report provides an analysis of post-closing quality control data derived from ACES Quality Management & Control® software.

Notable findings from the Q3 2021 report include:

* Mortgage lenders managed mortgage origination quality extremely well in Q3 2021, leading to an 18% improvement in the overall credit defect rate.

* Manufacturing-related loan defects decreased as volumes declined.

* Q3 marked the official shift from refinances to a purchase-driven market, with purchase defects increasing as a result.

* Defect performance on conventional loans stabilized while FHA defects rose.

* The Early Payment Defaults trend line indicates that reviews peaked and are now below pre-pandemic levels, shifting the focus to the remaining loans in forbearance status and exit plans for those borrowers.

"The critical defect rate for Q3 2021 dropped 18% to 1.86%, a welcomed improvement from the previous quarter. Lenders also experienced a slight decrease in origination volume, down 8% from Q2 of 2021," said ACES Executive Vice President Nick Volpe. "Metrics are beginning to trend back to their historic normal levels as volume moderates. With the amount of volatility in macroeconomic factors and rising rates, the decline in the overall critical defect rate is a testament to lenders taking quality management and control seriously."

Findings for the Q3 2021 ACES Mortgage QC Industry Trends Report are based on post-closing quality control data derived from the ACES Quality Management and Control® benchmarking system and incorporate data from prior quarters and/or calendar years, where applicable. All reviews and defect data evaluated for the report were based on loan audits selected by lenders for full file reviews.

"An improvement in the critical defect rate is always a positive sign. The worst of early payment default volume seems to be behind us, but we're not out of the woods yet. Lenders' focus should continue to be on helping remaining loans in forbearance status and building exit plans for those borrowers," said ACES CEO, Trevor Gauthier. "Lenders and banks need to be cognizant of the economic and geopolitical environments in the coming months and possibly years. As the Federal Reserve works to calm inflation, these actions oftentimes have a ripple effect, which can certainly impact loan quality."

Mortgage QC Industry Trends Reports are available for download, free of charge, at https://www.acesquality.com/resources/reports.

About ACES Quality Management:

ACES Quality Management is the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry. The nation's most prominent lenders, servicers and financial institutions rely on ACES Quality Management & Control® software to improve audit throughput and quality while controlling costs, including:

* 3 of the top 5 and more than 50% of the top 50 independent mortgage lenders;

* 7 of the top 10 loan servicers;

* 11 of the top 30 banks; and

* 1 of the top 3 credit unions in the USA.

Unlike other quality control platforms, only ACES delivers Flexible Audit Technology, which gives independent mortgage lenders and financial institutions the ability to easily manage and customize ACES to meet their business needs without having to rely on IT or other outside resources. Using a customer-centric approach, ACES clients get responsive support and access to our experts to maximize their investment. For more information, visit www.acesquality.com or call 1-800-858-1598.

ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced the release of its quarterly ACES Mortgage QC Trends Report covering the third quarter (Q3) of 2021. The latest report provides an analysis of post-closing quality control data derived from ACES Quality Management & Control® software.

Related link: https://www.acesquality.com/

Loan Quality Expert Duane Gilkison to Speak at ACES ENGAGE

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, has added Duane Gilkison, senior director of loan quality at Fannie Mae, to its speaker line-up for the upcoming ACES ENGAGE conference, taking place at the historic Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, May 23 - 25, 2022. Gilkison will speak on manufacturing quality and quality control best practices.

Gilkison has more than twenty years of banking and compliance experience. Before joining Fannie Mae, Gilkison worked at PNC Financial Services Group for more than a decade, starting as vice president of operations manager and eventually becoming senior vice president of credit risk. During his tenure at PNC, Gilkison was responsible for all operational areas of credit risk management, leading credit policy, origination quality control, servicing quality control, home equity quality control and audit management teams.

"Given the potential effects of inflation and the purchase-driven mortgage market on loan quality, Duane Gilkison's robust credit risk and loan quality compliance expertise make him an important and welcomed addition to the ACES ENGAGE agenda," ACES CEO Trevor Gauthier said. "Lenders of all stripes must be prepared to shore up their defenses to protect against fraud and defects, and with ACES ENGAGE, we want every attendee to leave with a deeper understanding of proactive quality assurance and compliance and feeling well-equipped to adjust their strategies in the pursuit of maintaining compliance, protecting loan quality and mitigating risk."

ACES ENGAGE will offer a mix of general session presentations, panel discussions and social activities. Attendees have the opportunity to learn from industry experts and thought leaders, network and leave with the knowledge necessary to increase efficiencies, improve productivity and further quality at their organizations.

Register to attend ACES ENGAGE and learn more at https://www.acesquality.com/aces-engage-2022

About ACES Quality Management:

ACES Quality Management is the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry. The nation's most prominent lenders, servicers and financial institutions rely on ACES Quality Management & Control Software® to improve audit throughput and quality while controlling costs, including:

* 3 of the top 5 and more than 50% of the top 50 independent mortgage lenders;

* 7 of the top 10 loan servicers;

* 11 of the top 30 banks; and

* 1 of the top 3 credit unions in the USA.

Unlike other quality control platforms, only ACES delivers Flexible Audit Technology, which gives independent mortgage lenders and financial institutions the ability to easily manage and customize ACES to meet their business needs without having to rely on IT or other outside resources. Using a customer-centric approach, ACES clients get responsive support and access to our experts to maximize their investment. For more information, visit https://www.acesquality.com/ or call 1-800-858-1598.

ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, has added Duane Gilkison, senior director of loan quality at Fannie Mae, to its speaker line-up for the upcoming ACES ENGAGE conference, taking place at the historic Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, May 23 - 25, 2022.

Related link: https://www.acesquality.com/

Colorado Soccer Association Partners with Sports Connect to Advance the Game Using Innovative Technology

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- Colorado Soccer Association (CSA), the governing body for soccer in the state, announces a new partnership with Sports Connect to grow and advance the game of soccer in Colorado. Sports Connect will provide technology solutions for the state association, CSA member clubs, and the participating players, coaches, families, and volunteers.

Sports Connect is a key component of the U.S. Soccer Connect mission to grow participation and advance the sport of soccer in conjunction with U.S. Soccer. The U.S. Soccer Connect initiative consists of leading services powered by Stack Sports, connecting every level of the soccer pathway. It represents the largest commitment of technology and sport resources to any project in American sports history.

"Over the last year, one of our top priorities has been to secure a technology partner who ensures our members access to dependable club management with best-in-class support to keep their season running smoothly and ultimately grow the game of soccer in Colorado," said Nate Shotts, Chief Executive Officer of CSA. "After reviewing multiple platforms, we are pleased to announce our new partnership with Sports Connect as the exclusive technology provider of CSA. We know with Stack Sports we have secured a partner who is best positioned to serve our membership.

"We are proud to partner with Colorado Soccer Association to help grow participation in the state," said Adam Abney, General Manager of Sports Connect. "CSA has been inspiring a passion for soccer in their communities for decades, having an undeniable impact on the growth of the sport in Colorado. Together through this new partnership, we will help give even more players the opportunity to play through innovative technology that makes managing each season easier."

Affiliated associations and clubs partnering with Sports Connect will have access to a full suite of features, including Mobile-First Registration, seamless data integration with CSA, safety and compliance tracking, professional website designs, data insights, secure online payment processing, and more.

Many soccer clubs affiliated with CSA have already chosen Sports Connect for their club management needs, and many more are upgrading to the platform.

When your club is ready to take advantage of the benefits of this new exclusive partnership, contact the Sports Connect team at https://sportsconnect.com/colorado-soccer-association/.

About Colorado Soccer Association:

Colorado Soccer Association (CSA), a non-profit educational and service organization, oversees Colorado soccer, benefits players and members, advances and honors the game by providing critical infrastructure and promoting sportsmanship and fair play in a safe and enjoyable environment. CSA is comprised of over 60+ clubs that facilitate recreational, select and regional programs, adult programs as well as TOPSoccer (soccer programming for players with disabilities). In addition to several outreach programs, CSA is responsible for running numerous state-level leagues at the competitive and recreational levels, as well as State and Presidents Cup tournaments and Colorado Select. For more information, see https://www.coloradosoccer.org/.

About Stack Sports:

With nearly 50 million users in 35 countries, Stack Sports is a global technology leader in SaaS platform offerings for the sports industry. The company provides world-class software and services to support national governing bodies, youth sports associations, leagues, clubs, parents, coaches, and athletes. Some of the largest and most prominent sports organizations including the U.S. Soccer Federation, Little League Baseball and Softball, and Pop Warner Little Scholars rely on Stack Sports technology to run and manage their organizations. Stack Sports is headquartered in Dallas and is leading the industry one team at a time focusing on four key pillars - Grassroots Engagement, Participation Growth, Recruiting Pathways, and Elite Player Development.

To learn more about how Stack Sports is transforming the sports experience, please visit https://www.stacksports.com/.

Colorado Soccer Association (CSA), the governing body for soccer in the state, announces a new partnership with Sports Connect to grow and advance the game of soccer in Colorado. Sports Connect will provide technology solutions for the state association, CSA member clubs, and the participating players, coaches, families, and volunteers.

Related link: https://stacksports.com/

Minnesota Housing Finance Agency partners with ACES Quality Management & Control

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, today announced the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency has selected ACES' flagship platform ACES Quality Management & Control® software to support its mortgage origination compliance and quality control (QC).

The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency finances and advances affordable housing opportunities for residents with low and moderate incomes throughout the state. The agency offers products and services to help Minnesotans buy and fix up their homes and supports the development and preservation of affordable rental housing through both financing and long-term asset management, all of which help build stronger communities and stabilize the lives of Minnesotans who are financially challenged.

"Minnesota Housing has helped build communities by providing affordable housing and finance options for over 50 years," said ACES CEO Trevor Gauthier. "We are proud to partner with them to ensure quality is built into the loan manufacturing process and their customers receive the highest quality lending experience."

ACES Quality Management & Control software enables financial institutions of all sizes to adequately manage the volume peaks and valleys to ensure quality and compliance throughout their operations while providing the flexibility to scale as volumes change. With ACES Flexible Audit Technology®, QC providers can configure the system to meet its specific needs to improve productivity and quality while controlling costs and risk.

About ACES Quality Management:

ACES Quality Management® is the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry. The nation's most prominent lenders, servicers and financial institutions rely on ACES Quality Management & Control® software to improve audit throughput and quality while controlling costs, including:

* 3 of the top 5 and more than 50% of the top 50 independent mortgage lenders;

* 7 of the top 10 loan servicers;

* 11 of the top 30 banks; and

* 1 of the top 3 credit unions in the USA.

Unlike other quality control platforms, only ACES delivers Flexible Audit Technology®, which gives independent mortgage lenders and financial institutions the ability to easily manage and customize ACES to meet their business needs without having to rely on IT or other outside resources. Using a customer-centric approach, ACES clients get responsive support and access to our experts to maximize their investment.

For more information, visit https://www.acesquality.com/ or call 1-800-858-1598.

ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, today announced the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency has selected ACES' flagship platform ACES Quality Management & Control® software to support its mortgage origination compliance and quality control (QC).

Related link: https://www.acesquality.com/

National Buyers Agents Association Releases One-Minute Videos on 2022 Home Buying

EVERGREEN, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- The National Buyers Agents Association just released a series of 1-minute videos on new approaches to home buying in 2022. Each video focusses on a state and the home buying trends of the major cities within that state.

The videos may be found on the association's YouTube channel and in the blog section of the association's educational website, https://BuyerAgentSearch.com.

The National Buyers Agents Association saw a need for this resource because it receives many calls per day from home buyers who are considering much bigger areas to buy than in previous years due to the housing shortage. Some buyers are even considering different states in order to find inventory that is within their budgets. The objective is to give prospective home buyers a very quick and accurate view of the 2022 housing markets throughout the United States.

The series starts out with Pennsylvania, Florida, and Texas videos. Each state's video reveals median housing prices and square footage costs for the state. This section of the videos provides a quick comparison of the housing prices of major cities within that state with year-over-year trends.

The 2022 video list on the blog page at the association's website and also in YouTube, begins off with a super-short video, entitled "5 Critical Home Buying Decisions." This starter video provides a time-efficient and easy way for potential home buyers to focus on essential decisions when first considering buying, including the most basic one of "Is now a good time to buy or not?" Many buyers are considering waiting it out, while others have decided to go for it because prices do not appear to be going down any time soon.

Once a decision is made, buyers are asked to focus on "What makes an ideal property?", followed by a hard look at what are their must-haves verses preferences.

The YouTube channel includes dozens of other videos, including a video from some first-time homebuyers about their experiences working with an exclusive buyer's agent. There are also many interviews of buyer's agents who are members of the association with their unique perspectives on local markets. The channel also has a few entertaining animations, including a scene with alligators. The buyers are trapped in the confusing maze of the home-buying process that is dominated by hidden traps of real estate industry profit motives.

In addition to videos, the Buyer Agent Search website provides blogs, and consumer radio show excerpts that help real estate consumers understand behind-the-scenes processes that will enable them to successfully navigate their purchase. The association connects consumers to a network of exclusive, accredited, and highly-rated agents. Real estate agents are typically paid a commission covered in the seller's listing agreement through the proceeds in the sale at closing. Therefore, the real estate buyer or seller does not have upfront costs when engaging an agent.

On the association's website, the podcast section features a Consumer's Real Estate Show. The association manager, Kathleen Chiras, along with the hosts Barry Miller and Larry Stanley, discuss real estate as advocates for consumers. They do not hesitate to criticize the industry.

The show examines such questions as "Is the real estate consumer being offered fair and flexible commissions?" and "Is a well-done Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) being done for both buyers and sellers every 2 weeks?" The host of the show recommends getting new CMAs prepared by the agent every 2 weeks because of rapidly changing market conditions. Miller calls it a "Changing Market Analysis."

Buyer agents have a wealth of knowledge and negotiation skills. They provide a comprehensive overview of the market including the current status of properties for sale and a micro view of neighborhood trends.

The National Buyers Agents Association uses independent research, rankings and consumer reviews to provide a free list of recommended, reputable agents. Association staff do specific research to vet agents in rural as well as urban areas.

The association includes over 1400 licensees nationwide, and its members cover all major cities and US towns. A list of at least two agent choices for specific geographical areas of interest is provided to consumers at no cost or obligation. Suggested agents are likely to also be members of the National Association of REALTORS and their local board of REALTORS. This membership and enables them to have access to local multiple listing services with the most current property information. Good agents are also in tune with for-sale-by-owner portals and "coming soon" properties.

The association and its video channel, blogs and podcasts are managed by Kathleen Chiras, a licensed real estate broker with over 25 years of experience. Chiras says, "We are all about empowering the real estate buyers and sellers with insider education not found elsewhere on the web. Our goal is to educate home buyers and sellers. We want consumers to have access to top real estate agents and the tools to choose the best." A list of in-depth interview questions are provided to each person who contacts the association to help them know exactly how the agent will work for them. Chiras concludes that it makes sense to start early. "There are no out-of-pocket costs for choosing an agent even 6 months before the projected move-in date."

By extending the service to short 1-minute educational videos, the National Buyers Agent Association continues to provide many timely and important resources for home buyers. Free consultations with headquarters staff are also available 7 days a week by calling 800-383-7188.

LEARN MORE:

https://buyeragentsearch.com/

https://buyeragentsearch.com/associations-and-real-estate-agents/

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL:

http://www.youtube.com/user/kchiras

https://business.facebook.com/buyeragents/

https://twitter.com/KathleenChiras

#buyersagents #2022homebuying #homebuying #realestatevideos

https://www.instagram.com/buyeragentsearch/

MULTIMEDIA

VIDEO (YouTube): 1-minute state by state videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLy0uHbsK0aXvdFwMBPTlrrHVXhD029NZz

VIDEO (YouTube Channel): https://www.youtube.com/user/kchiras/videos

The National Buyers Agents Association just released a series of 1-minute videos on new approaches to home buying in 2022. Each video focusses on a state and the home buying trends of the major cities within that state.

Related link: https://buyeragentsearch.com/

Kiosk Association Digital KYC Series Begins: the new framework for identity, for opt-in consumers

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- March Self-Service News: The Kiosk Association is pleased to announce new multipart series of whitepapers covering Digital KYC. Digital KYC is the new framework for identity, for opt-in consumers. PopID is 100,000 users in California. Wendy's First Kitchen in Japan is the first international. The complete 5-part series will see a whitepaper per month.

Coming Events:

National Restaurant Association in Chicago in May is the big upcoming. We will be showing the unreleased LG fast food self-order kiosk in its first public appearance.

June 8 is InfoComm 2022 and we are a media partner for the show. AV is huge and especially for all forms of menu displays for outdoor (think Drive-Thru which is 75% of sales?). Big screens for EV charging stations at places like Walgreens, Kohls, and now restaurants. The free advertising on Google Maps doesn't hurt.

Free Research -- Updated Market report. Included are restaurants worldwide & kiosks. McDonalds & YUM Foods being the two big components. Using corporate sites plus NRN datafiles we have a lower margin of error. We're updating the spreadsheet with drive-thru & digital menu displays for more context.

Market Report information: https://kioskindustry.org/kiosk-market-research-2022-trends-in-self-service-facts-factoids-v2/

Kiosks

* Face Verification - PopID Seeking $50 million Pay By Face

* Lockdown Browser News - Android + Windows & Kiosk Mode

* IDmission - Empowering Identity Solutions

* Know Your Customer Brief aka Digital KYC

* Kiosk Location and Kiosk Placement - Best Practice

* Touchless Checkout Kiosks - 235% increase in deployments for Grab and Go

* Stripe For Kiosks - Samsung Kiosk Demo No Code by Intuiface

* National Restaurant Association Kiosk Trade Show

* Telehealth Kiosk - Mental Health for Students and Let's Talk Interactive

* Antibacterial Touchscreen News - Utah Study on COVID Transmission via Surfaces

* Wayfinding Kiosk - 22Miles Video Catalog - Healthcare, Hoteling, Convention Centers and More

Digital Signage

* Digital Signage STRATACACHE Partners with NCR

* Digital Signage Software Solutions - Video Catalog - Healthcare, Hoteling, Convention Centers and More

* ChromeOS Flex for Digital Signage

Retail Automation

* Just Walk Out Checkout - Whole Foods

* Food Robot Roundup - Delivery Robots & Robotic Food Assembly

* UK Shop and Go Automated Store - Just Walk Out - Tesco, Sainsburys Aldi UK Review - nice photo gallery of each store and its "just walk out" configuration.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Contact Craig Keefner, 720-324-1837 or craig@catareno.com or visit https://kioskindustry.org/.

Since 1996 for 26 years serving the self-service technology market. For a complete list of verticals visit The Industry Group (https://industrygroup.org/).

March Self-Service News: The Kiosk Association is pleased to announce new multipart series of whitepapers covering Digital KYC. Digital KYC is the new framework for identity, for opt-in consumers. PopID is 100,000 users in California. Wendy's First Kitchen in Japan is the first international. The complete 5-part series will see a whitepaper per month.

Related link: https://kioskindustry.org/

Ask An Optometrist to Improve Your Eye-Q

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Colorado Optometric Association (COA) and 2020 Eyes Colorado are answering commonly asked patient questions to educate the public on eye health. 2020 Eyes Colorado is the COA's public awareness initiative to promote healthy eyes and vision across the state throughout the year.

People frequently have questions about vision or eyesight but neglect to ask during their annual eye exam. A group of Colorado optometrists have created a list with answers of eight commonly asked questions or misconceptions about eye health.

Some of the questions our optometrists answer include:

* Can an optometrist diagnose diabetes just through an eye exam?

* Does eating carrots improve eyesight?

* What are the qualifications to be a candidate for LASIK surgery?

* Do blue light glasses and filters actually work?

"Educating Coloradans about eye health is extremely important, as is identifying misconceptions many patients have. This list of commonly asked questions allows the COA and 2020 Eyes Colorado to serve that purpose," says Dr. Jean DeMoss, Board President for the Colorado Optometric Association.

The list of questions and answers can be read and downloaded, along with many other resources about vision and eye health.

See the full list of questions and answers here https://2020eyescolorado.org/optometrists-answer-common-questions-about-your-eye-health/

About the Colorado Optometric Association (COA):

The Colorado Optometric Association (COA) is the professional organization of optometrists in Colorado. Over 600 Colorado Doctors of Optometry are voluntary members of the Association.

Since 1892, the COA has assisted its members in providing the highest standard of professional care to their patients by sponsoring continuing education programs for doctors, advocating in local and state governments for programs and laws that represent patients' best interests, and providing information for the public. For more information, please visit http://www.visioncare.org/ or call 303-863-9778.

The Colorado Optometric Association (COA) and 2020 Eyes Colorado are answering commonly asked patient questions to educate the public on eye health. 2020 Eyes Colorado is the COA's public awareness initiative to promote healthy eyes and vision across the state throughout the year.

Related link: https://colorado.aoa.org/

ACES Quality Management Makes its Eighth Appearance on HousingWire TECH100 List

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry has been selected for the eighth consecutive year by HousingWire magazine for its annual TECH100 awards program.

HousingWire's TECH100 award seeks to highlight the most innovative technology companies across the housing sector. ACES was selected for its continued excellence in supporting lenders' quality management, risk mitigation and cost control efforts. Its flagship product ACES Quality Management & Control® software provides lenders with a secure, flexible, web-based platform to drive pre-funding, post-closing and servicing quality control (QC) audits. ACES users have increased their audit speeds by more than 50% while reducing overhead costs by as much as six figures annually.

"In a rising interest rate environment where volume is declining and margins are tight, it is easy to lose sight of the value of having a robust quality and risk management program, but this is exactly when lenders can least afford to suffer the financial consequences of a bad loan," said Trevor Gauthier. "It is these types of concerns that continuously drive ACES to expand and improve the ability of our product and services and honors such as the TECH100 reflect the value and results our users are experiencing from those efforts."

Last year ACES processed more than 4.5 million audits, experienced a 60% surge in new clients and launched ACES CONNECT, the organization's newest communication functionality designed to help relay critical exceptions immediately and provide secure collaboration between quality control and other lines of business. Additionally, ACES announced ACES ENGAGE, a two-day conference designed to bring together the nation's top financial services quality management professionals to discuss industry trends and best practices, taking place in May 2022.

"This year's list of TECH100 honorees proves once again that innovation within housing is vital in differentiating the organizations who will thrive and those who will be left behind," said Clayton Collins, CEO of HW Media. "This list spotlights the innovators that are making the housing sector better and more sustainable by increasing efficiency, improving user and borrower experiences and bringing elasticity and improvements to age-old processes."

To view the full list of winners, visit https://www.housingwire.com/articles/2022-housingwire-tech100-mortgage-honorees/

About ACES Quality Management

ACES Quality Management is the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry. The nation's most prominent lenders, servicers and financial institutions rely on ACES Quality Management & Control® software to improve audit throughput and quality while controlling costs, including:

* 3 of the top 5 and more than 50% of the top 50 independent mortgage lenders;

* 7 of the top 10 loan servicers;

* 11 of the top 30 banks; and

* 1 of the top 3 credit unions in the USA.

Unlike other quality control platforms, only ACES delivers Flexible Audit Technology, which gives independent mortgage lenders and financial institutions the ability to easily manage and customize ACES to meet their business needs without having to rely on IT or other outside resources. Using a customer-centric approach, ACES clients get responsive support and access to our experts to maximize their investment. For more information, visit https://www.acesquality.com/ or call 1-800-858-1598.

About HousingWire

HousingWire is the most influential source of news and information for the U.S. mortgage and housing markets. Built on a foundation of independent and original journalism, HousingWire reaches over 60,000 newsletter subscribers daily and over 1.0 million unique visitors each month. Our audience of mortgage, real estate and fintech professionals rely on us to Move Markets Forward. Visit www.housingwire.com or www.solutions.housingwire.com to learn more.

ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry has been selected for the eighth consecutive year by HousingWire magazine for its annual TECH100 awards program.

Related link: https://www.acesquality.com/

Financial Advisor Keith Eckhardt of Edward Jones Receives Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist® Designation

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- Financial Advisor Keith Eckhardt of the financial services firm Edward Jones in Colorado Springs has achieved the professional designation of Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist.

Eckhardt successfully completed the Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist, or CRPS®, Professional Education Program from the Denver−based College for Financial Planning.

Those who complete the program, pass a final exam, and sign a code of ethics and disclosure form earn the CRPS® designation.

Because of ever−increasing client demand for financial advisors who are knowledgeable in the administration of retirement plans for businesses and their employees, this advanced training is specifically designed to focus on design, installation, and maintenance of retirement plans.

Keith Eckhardt's office is located at 1763 South 8th St, Ste 1, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80905. The office phone is 719-578-5833.

Edward Jones, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in St. Louis, provides financial services in the U.S. and, through its affiliate, in Canada. Every aspect of the firm's business, from the investments its financial advisors offer to the location of branch offices, caters to individual investors and businesses. The firm's nearly 19,000 financial advisors serve more than 7 million clients with a total of $1.8 trillion in assets under care.

Visit https://www.edwardjones.com/us-en/ or the recruiting website at https://careers.edwardjones.com/. Member SIPC.

https://www.edwardjones.com/us-en/financial-advisor/keith-eckhardt

https://www.facebook.com/ejadvisorkeitheckhardt/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/keitheckhardt/

Financial Advisor Keith Eckhardt of the financial services firm Edward Jones in Colorado Springs has achieved the professional designation of Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist.

Related link: https://www.edwardjones.com/

Kiosk Association (KMA) Releases Articles of Organization for ADA

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- February Self-Service News: KMA is pleased to announce our Articles of Organization. The document is now available on the kma.global website. "This is another step towards strengthening the association and providing an even more effective accessibility and ADA direction for the Association," said Craig Keefner, manager.

On Feb 16, 2022 we had our quarterly call with over 50 participants. Topics included the upcoming rulemaking session scheduled to begin in April, industry-wide certification options and POS terminals. The newly appointed eight members of the U.S. Access Board will be introduced at the March 9th meeting.

This month we published the leading article by attorney Lainey Feingold, Kiosk Accessibility - It's The Law -- Lainey is an expert at structured negotiation. We added Marsha Mazz & David Capozzi as new honorary members of the Hall of Fame. And finally, the Senate has formed a commission to modernize HIPAA.

And new technology like Smart City deployments and EV Charging Stations (new ones at Walgreens) are using blanket statement "units are ADA-compliant". It would help if those items were documented. There are also data privacy issues and the revenue potential for selling personal data.

Tech Highlight This Month

Lidar -- the new Grabango C-Store deployment continues the trend for ultimate contactless. 340 convenience stores and we can assume it's lidar-based. Nourish-Bloom in Georgia is using the same lidar technology as well. It's the new "just walk in -- just walk out" shopping model.

Coming Events

Our next in-person event is in Chicago May 21st and the National Restaurant Association show. We are booth 6576 in the Tech Pavilion next to Epson and SpotOn.

June 8, 2022 in Las Vegas is InfoComm 2022 and we are an official media partner for InfoComm. Big screens for menu boards, EV charging stations at places like Walgreens and Kohls.

For more information contact Craig Keefner, 720-324-1837 or craig@catareno.com or you can visit https://kioskindustry.org/. Since 1996 for 26 years serving the self-service technology market.

For a complete list of verticals visit The Industry Group, at https://industrygroup.org/.

RELATAED LINKS:

https://kma.global/about/

https://kma.global/kiosk-accessibility-the-law-is-paying-attention/

https://directory.nationalrestaurantshow.com/8_0/exhibitor/exhibitor-details.cfm?exhid=62520315

https://kioskindustry.org/infocomm-avixa-media-partner/

February Self-Service News: KMA is pleased to announce our Articles of Organization. The document is now available on the kma.global website. "This is another step towards strengthening the association and providing an even more effective accessibility and ADA direction for the Association," said Craig Keefner, manager.

Related link: https://kioskindustry.org/

ACES Quality Management adds Mortgage Bankers Association Economist Dr. Edward Seiler to ACES ENGAGE agenda

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced it has added Dr. Edward Seiler, housing economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) and executive director of the MBA's think tank Research Institute for Housing America, to its speaker line-up for the upcoming ACES ENGAGE conference, where he will share his thoughts and observations on the economic outlook heading into the second half of 2022. Seiler joins New York Times Bestselling Author Aron Ralston and mortgage quality control and risk expert Steve Spies as headlining speakers for this year's event.

"Given the impact of macroeconomic events on the financial services landscape, industry risk and quality management professionals need to stay on top of the latest economic outlooks and trends to adequately adjust their strategies in the pursuit of maintaining compliance, protecting loan quality and mitigating risk," ACES CEO Trevor Gauthier said. "As one of the key contributors to the MBA's forecasts and policy positions, Seiler has his fingers on the pulse of what's next from an economic perspective, making him a natural fit to help round out our ACES ENGAGE line-up, and we eagerly await the key insights he'll have to share with the ACES ENGAGE audience."

Taking place at the historic Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs on May 23-25, 2022, ACES ENGAGE is designed to bring together the nation's top financial services quality management professionals to discuss industry trends and best practices across the mortgage lending, loan servicing and consumer lending spectrums. Through a mix of general session presentations, panel discussions and breakout session tracks, attendees will have the unique opportunity to learn from industry experts and thought leaders, network and leave with the knowledge necessary to increase efficiencies, improve productivity and further quality at their organizations.

Register to attend ACES ENGAGE and learn more at https://www.acesquality.com/aces-engage-2022

About ACES Quality Management

ACES Quality Management is the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry. The nation's most prominent lenders, servicers and financial institutions rely on ACES Quality Management & Control Software® to improve audit throughput and quality while controlling costs, including:

* 3 of the top 5 and more than 50% of the top 50 independent mortgage lenders;

* 7 of the top 10 loan servicers;

* 11 of the top 30 banks; and

* 1 of the top 3 credit unions in the USA.

Unlike other quality control platforms, only ACES delivers Flexible Audit Technology, which gives independent mortgage lenders and financial institutions the ability to easily manage and customize ACES to meet their business needs without having to rely on IT or other outside resources. Using a customer-centric approach, ACES clients get responsive support and access to our experts to maximize their investment. For more information, visit https://www.acesquality.com/ or call 1-800-858-1598.

ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced it has added Dr. Edward Seiler, housing economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) and executive director of the MBA's think tank Research Institute for Housing America, to its speaker line-up for the upcoming ACES ENGAGE conference.

Related link: https://www.acesquality.com/

Jennifer Oliverio Takes Over Local Edward Jones Branch Office

PUEBLO, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- Jennifer Oliverio has been named to take over the local Edward Jones office located at 200 W City Center Dr. STE 202 Pueblo, CO 81003, the firm announced today. Oliverio transferred to Pueblo, CO from an Edward Jones office in Puyallup, Washington.

Edward Jones, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in St. Louis, provides financial services in the U.S. and, through its affiliate, in Canada. Every aspect of the firm's business, from the investments its financial advisors offer to the location of branch offices, caters to individual investors and businesses.

The firm's nearly 19,000 financial advisors serve more than 7 million clients with a total of $1.8 trillion in assets under care.

For more information, visit https://www.edwardjones.com/us-en/ or the recruiting website at https://careers.edwardjones.com/. Member SIPC.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jennifer Oliverio | 719-545-3564

Jennifer Oliverio has been named to take over the local Edward Jones office located at 200 W City Center Dr. STE 202 Pueblo, CO 81003, the firm announced today. Oliverio transferred to Pueblo, CO from an Edward Jones office in Puyallup, Washington.

Related link: https://www.edwardjones.com/

Steps to Improve Independence When Living with Visual Impairment

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Colorado Optometric Association (COA) and 2020 Eyes Colorado are speaking out about how to improve independence and quality of life when experiencing permanent vision loss. 2020 Eyes Colorado is the COA's eye health public awareness initiative to promote healthy eyes and vision across the state throughout the year.

Visual impairment (low vision) may be defined as insufficient vision to do the things a person wants and needs to do. The loss of vision cannot be corrected by regular glasses, medical treatment, or surgery and can be congenital or the result of disease, and injury.

Common eye diseases that cause low vision may include macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and inherited retinal disease. These conditions can cause a permanent loss of central (detailed) vision, as well as a loss of peripheral (side) vision. People may have difficulty reading the newspaper, paying bills (even with reading glasses), recognizing faces, crossing streets, and seeing small print on their television.

Low vision care (also referred to as Vision Rehabilitation) helps people with low vision function as fully and independently as possible by providing devices, information, and technology.

Step 1: Get an Eye Exam by your Eye Care Professional

A thorough eye examination is imperative to diagnose the reason for your decrease in vision. The eye doctor will ensure that the patient is:

* evaluated for ocular and systemic disease

* receives proper medical treatment for any eye disease

* has the best eye glass prescription possible

Due to the underlying eye disease, new glasses cannot restore vision to a level that allows you see detail (small & fine print, faces, etc.) like you did before. The eye care professional may refer out to an optometrist specializing in low vision care. Also, requesting a referral for low vision rehabilitation is an option, if there is difficulty performing daily activities.

Step 2: The Low Vision Evaluation

A low vision exam with an optometrist specializing in low vision care, takes about one to two hours and is different than a typical eye exam. The low vision evaluation will focus on how the patient functions with the remaining vision and find strategies to maximize any remaining vision.

Patients can use the time during their low vision exam to discuss and understand their own specific vision goals and challenges. For example, improving facial recognition, writing, reading, color identification, and more. Bring any current glasses, magnifiers, or other low vision devices currently used, whether they are helpful or not.

Step 3: Discuss How to Make Reading Easier

A conversation about how to make reading with low vision easier can produce great results. A low vision specialist can make suggestions to address specific needs. For instance, a student might require a way to read notes on a whiteboard while in class and they can troubleshoot the challenges around this together.

Basic Modifications for Reading:

* Improve overhead & task lighting.

* Use of increased magnification such as stronger reading glasses, hand-held and stand magnifiers, hand-held and spectacle mounted telescopes, and electronic video magnifiers.

* Use of auditory and large print accessibility features on your smartphone, tablet, and desk-top computers.

* Use of audiobooks through the National Library of Congress Talking Book program.

Step 4: Discuss How to Improve Quality of Life at Home & Work

The eye doctor may refer a low vision patient to a:

* Certified Vision Rehabilitation Teacher

* Occupational Therapist who specializes in working with the visually impaired

* Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist

These professionals work with the patient in their home, community, and workplace to ensure safety and independence.

Obtaining additional strategies and modifications are critical for maintaining independence. Adjustments and organizational practices can make a huge difference. The following techniques are commonly offered, but this is also the patient's chance to troubleshoot any current issues arising at home or work:

* Improve over-head and task lighting. Consistent lighting at home can reduce the risk of falls and disorganization.

* Use contrasting colors to help identity steps, railings, knobs, switches, and anything else that is difficult to detect visually.

* Remove hazards like rugs, cords, bulky furniture, or anything that could cause a fall or injury.

* Use large print labels and tactile dots to help identify objects, numbers on the oven or microwave, telephone, remote control, and computer keyboard.

* Create an organizational system to keep track of personal items.

* Label medications or use a color code system for identifying prescription and over the counter medications.

* Troubleshoot any challenges that prevent access to a healthy diet high in nutrient dense foods like leafy greens, berries, fish, nuts, and more.

For many people dealing with permanent vision loss, they feel they "CAN'T" do the things they want and need to do. With proper vision rehabilitation services, people will have many options to improve their quality of life and independence. Talk with an eye care professional today and ask for a referral to an optometrist specializing in low vision care.

Colorado's low vision specialists are listed below. Or find a Colorado optometrist here -- https://colorado.aoa.org/doctor-locator-search

COLORADO'S LOW VISION SPECIALISTS

Kara Hanson, OD, FAAO
UCH-Sue Anschutz Rodgers Eye Center 1675 Aurora Ct
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-2020

David Lewerenz, OD, FAAO, Clinical Diplomate in Low Vision, American Academy of Optometry
UCH-Sue Anschutz Rodgers Eye Center 1675 Aurora Ct
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-2020

Dr. David Simpson
UCH-Sue Anschutz Rodgers Eye Center 1675 Aurora Ct
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-2020

Shannon Kessler, OD, FAAO
VA Eastern CO Healthcare System
14400 E Jewell Ave
Denver, CO 80012
303-283-5386

Brian Meier, OD
49 W. Mill Street
Bayfield, CO 81122
970-884-2020

George Hertneky, OD
212 Cameron St
Brush, CO 80723
970-842-5166

Eddy Najjar, OD
7500 South University
Blvd., Unit 104
Centennial, CO 80122
720-389-8023

Craig Eckroth, OD
450 Pershing St., Suite 100
Craig, CO 81625
970-824-3488

Dr. Gregg Pusateri
5614 N Union Blvd
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
719-471-3200

Margaret "Molly" Dixon, OD, FAAO
320 E. Fontanero, #201
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
719-599-2020

Deanna Alexander, OD, FAAO
702 W Drake Rd, Bldg B
Ft. Collins, CO 80526
970-221-4811

Jennifer Zwelling, OD, FAAO
Valley Vision
904 Pitkin Ave
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
970-945-2020

Dale Lervick, OD, FAAO
7586 W Jewell Ave # 104
Lakewood, CO 80232
303-233-7575

Kirk Matoba, OD
200 N. Union Blvd
Lakewood, CO 80228
303-988-2777

Neuro-Sight Vision Care - Drs. Jarvis, Politzer, and Chonka
333 S Allison Pkwy # 120
Lakewood, CO 802226
303-989-2020

Dr. Alex Zemke
2290 Kipling St Unit 1
Lakewood, CO 80215
303-238-9900

Craig Eckroth, OD
365 Anglers Dr Suite A
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
970-879-2020

MEDIA QUERIES:

For any media inquiries, please contact: Kelli Catlin kcatlin@visioncare.org

About the Colorado Optometric Association (COA):

The Colorado Optometric Association (COA) is the professional organization of optometrists in Colorado. Over 600 Colorado Doctors of Optometry are voluntary members of the Association.

Since 1892, the COA has assisted its members in providing the highest standard of professional care to their patients by sponsoring continuing education programs for doctors, advocating in local and state governments for programs and laws that represent patients' best interests, and providing information for the public. For more information, please visit http://www.visioncare.org/ or call 303-863-9778.

The Colorado Optometric Association (COA) and 2020 Eyes Colorado are speaking out about how to improve independence and quality of life when experiencing permanent vision loss. 2020 Eyes Colorado is the COA's eye health public awareness initiative to promote healthy eyes and vision across the state throughout the year.

Related link: https://colorado.aoa.org/

ACES Quality Management software analyzes more than 4.5 million audits, while company achieves record new client growth in 2021

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced it processed more than 4.5 million audits through its ACES Quality Management & Control® software in 2021. In addition, the company also experienced a 60% surge in new clients, signing dozens of new financial institutions including a Top 15 Bank, one of the largest mortgage outsourcers in the industry, and several top independent mortgage lenders.

2021 also saw the launch of ACES CONNECT, the organization's newest communication functionality designed to help relay critical exceptions immediately and provide secure collaboration between quality control and lines of business. Simultaneously, ACES added 30 vendors to its network, allowing users to order, track and receive re-verification documents and data directly within the ACES core platform. ACES also announced ACES ENGAGE, a two-day conference designed to bring together the nation's top financial services quality management professionals to discuss industry trends and best practices, taking place in May 2022.

"The uncertainty and turbulence of the financial markets over the last 24 months has underscored the need to maintain quality and mitigate risk, and our tremendous growth in 2021 reflects how serious lenders and financial institutions are taking these obligations. Quality control and risk management have often been afterthoughts when it comes to innovation, but by replacing manually-driven processes and legacy systems with the automation ACES delivers, these organizations are realizing the competitive advantages of a faster, more efficient and accurate quality review process," ACES CEO Trevor Gauthier said.

"With the expected market shift to purchases in 2022, our primary focus is to help as many lenders and financial institutions as possible shore up their internal review and risk mitigation practices to keep quality at the forefront of their operations. With ACES in their corner, these institutions can be proactive instead of reactive in addressing issues before they become widespread while also improving quality across the board, which has a positive impact internally and with their business constituencies."

Additional ACES milestones of 2021 include:

* Adding and revising over 8000 audit questions to ACES Managed Questionnaires;

* Publishing 2067 articles and 504 calendar items to its free Compliance NewsHub;

* Reviewing and interpreting 206 Agency/GSE publications on behalf of users;

* Producing four quarterly Mortgage Industry QC Trends Reports and nine free industry webinars;

* Conducting a 2-day virtual user summit;

* Serving as speakers/moderators for eight panels across seven national industry conferences and webinars;

* Maintaining a net promoters score of 45+ since 2016; and

* Securing key industry partnerships with The Compliance Group and Winnow Solutions.

Last year ACES increased its staff by approximately 50% and was recognized for multiple industry awards. Individually, Romina Cusenza was named one of HousingWire's Marketing Leaders, Nick Volpe was named a HousingWire Insider and Trevor Gauthier was selected by HousingWire as an HW Vanguard. Additionally, Sharon Reichhardt and Amanda Phillips were selected as Elite Women in Mortgage by Mortgage Professional America.

In addition, the ACES team continued its efforts to give back to their local communities through ACES CARES. Established in 2018, ACES CARES encourages employees to make a positive difference in the community through volunteering, outreach and financial contributions to charities, offering a dollar-for-dollar match of employee donations to U.S.-registered 501(c)(3) charitable organizations of their choice and supporting employees' wellness and community involvement programs. Since the program's inception, ACES Quality Management and its staff have donated a total of $30,200 to 43 organizations through ACES CARES. Most recently, ACES CARES donated $2,500 each to Sister Carmen Community Center and Community Foundation Boulder County, both local organizations in Boulder County, Colo., assisting victims of the Marshall Fire, which occurred on December 30, 2021, and destroyed nearly 1,000 homes in Boulder County.

"ACES strives to make a positive impact not just for our users, but also within our local communities through ACES CARES and the industry as a whole," Gauthier added. "On the industry side, we doubled down on curating actionable insights and information via resources such as the Compliance NewsHub and our quarterly Mortgage Industry QC Trends Report, to provide the entire industry with the most accurate and up-to-date compliance and regulatory information in a digestible way."

About ACES Quality Management

ACES Quality Management is the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry. The nation's most prominent lenders, servicers and financial institutions rely on ACES Quality Management & Control Software® to improve audit throughput and quality while controlling costs, including:

* 3 of the top 5 and more than 50% of the top 50 independent mortgage lenders;

* 7 of the top 10 loan servicers;

* 11 of the top 30 banks; and

* 1 of the top 3 credit unions in the USA.

Unlike other quality control platforms, only ACES delivers Flexible Audit Technology, which gives independent mortgage lenders and financial institutions the ability to easily manage and customize ACES to meet their business needs without having to rely on IT or other outside resources. Using a customer-centric approach, ACES clients get responsive support and access to our experts to maximize their investment. For more information, visit www.acesquality.com or call 1-800-858-1598.

ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced it processed more than 4.5 million audits through its ACES Quality Management & Control® software in 2021.

Related link: https://www.acesquality.com/

Kiosk and Digital Signage News from Industry Group and Kiosk Association (KMA) for Jan. 2022

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- January news from the Industry Group and the Kiosk Association: NRF is coming up this weekend and we are hopeful our retail facial payment finalist takes home the "Best Payment Innovation" award. The transactions and enrollment numbers certainly justify it.

We also thank Jim Kruper with KioWare who is managing the booth. Stop by and see contactless self-order, assistive technology ala McDonalds and the new Ingenico Self-4000 terminal. He is featured on our portal page on NRF -- NRF Big Show #1606.

Big legal ADA news is Quest Diagnostics got very bad news on two fronts. The class action part will drive remedial actions across the entire country, and all units. That originally inexpensive kiosk has the definite possibility now of turning out to be an expensive choice.

For the upcoming DSE show in Vegas/March, besides hoping COVID will subside, we are hoping to show a cool 4K 85-inch demo deployed recently at super major retailer (they sell staples?). At NRA our odds are pretty good we will have the Samsung "KMA" kiosk in our booth (running Nanonation partner software). We are in the Tech Pavilion.

New Gold sponsors - FEC POS -- now entering self-checkout (SCO) kiosk market. American Kiosks - offices here in Colorado. Custom projects is prime competency.

KIOSKS

* Self-Checkout Kiosks by FEC

* ADA Kiosk Quest Diagnostics Update + Walmart Blind Access

* Olea Kiosks Names Director of Sales

DIGITAL SIGNAGE

* Message from Brad Gleeson -- Digital Signage Tradeshow

* Video of Latest Starbucks..oops I mean 7-Eleven Digital Menus

* OLED Display Solution 30 Percent Brighter Than Standard OLED - LG

* LG taps DSP Concepts for voice command recognition

* Redbox Digital Signage Kiosks Coming Soon!

RETAIL

* Autonomous Robots - Sidewalk Robot with Uber and 7-Eleven

* Autonomous Robots Airport Food Delivery Robot

* Restaurant Market Report - Investment in 2022 includes tech, real estate

* Drive Thru Technology - McDonalds Sells Platform to IBM

OTHER SEGMENTS (E.G., HOSPITALITY)

* Hotel chain converts Windows PCs to Chrome OS

* Linux Developer for Kiosks - Raspberry PI developer for Kiosks

* Accessibility Trends For Internet Access - Desktops and Mobiles - 2022 - What will be considered accessible?

MORE INFORMATION:

For more information visit https://kioskindustry.org/.

Since 1996 for 25 years serving the self-service technology market. For a complete list of verticals visit The Industry Group ( https://industrygroup.org/ ).

January news from the Industry Group and the Kiosk Association: NRF is coming up this weekend and we are hopeful our retail facial payment finalist takes home the "Best Payment Innovation" award. The transactions and enrollment numbers certainly justify it.

Related link: https://kioskindustry.org/

Optometrists Speak Out About Colorado’s Dangerous Driving

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Colorado Optometric Association's doctors of optometry are speaking out this month about dangerous driving in the state. Colorado optometrists are seeing a problem rising on the roads that impact more than just eye health. Fatal car accidents across Colorado have increased over the course of the pandemic even though less miles were driven.

In the first half of 2021, total Colorado traffic fatalities were up 15% with drivers under the age of 34 experiencing the largest increase in traffic fatalities*. With driving being 90 percent visual, unaddressed vision challenges increase the risk of car accidents at any age and being involved in a car accident can put your eyes at risk of injury. (*citation 1, below)

Car accidents cause an estimated 9,280 to 11,600 eye injuries annually*. Doctor of optometry urge drivers to modify risky behavior for increased safety on the roads. (*citation 2)

"Reducing car accidents and fatalities across Colorado is a combination of safer decision making and proper eye health. Risky driving puts your eye health, vision, and life at risk. We are asking two things of Coloradans to help make roads safer; get an annual eye exam and make safer decisions on the road," says Dr. Jean DeMoss, Board President at the Colorado Optometric Association.

Common eye symptoms and injuries from a car accident include; black eye, blurred vision, curtain-like shadow falling over visual field, detached retina, eyelid cuts, hyphema, increased floaters, scratched cornea, reduced peripheral vision, and more. Eye injuries from car accidents can be painful and can threaten vision. In addition, whiplash and concussions can cause visual system issues that impact one's quality of life and livelihood. Take precautions today to reduce the risk of a car accident.

Six Ways to Increase Safe Driving

1. Get a Comprehensive Eye Exam - Make sure eyesight and eye health are up to the task by getting an eye exam with a local optometrist. New legislation in Colorado requires that ages 21-79 attest to having an eye exam in the last year before renewing a driver's license. Coloradans who are 80 years or older must have an eye doctor provide a signed DR 2402 confirming that the individual has had an eye exam in the last six months and the results of that exam.

2. Reduce Distractions - With over 90 percent of Colorado drivers disclosing that they drive distracted, CDOT reports that on average 42 car accidents occur each day in the state due to distracted driving*. Anything that takes focus away from the road is a distraction including texting, eating, reading, navigating a smart phone or GPS system, talking to passengers, caring after passengers/pets, and watching videos. (*citation 3)

3. Use a Seatbelt for Every Trip - Seatbelt use reduces the risk of eye injuries in a car accident*. The CDC reports that seatbelt use reduces serious injury and fatalities in a car accident by 50%, but still 1 in 7 adults do not buckle up**. Make sure that everyone in the vehicle is using a seatbelt or a car seat/booster seat for younger passengers. Motorcyclists should wear a helmet to reduce the risk of brain injury and death in the case of an accident. (*citation 4; **citation 5)

4. Reduce Speeding - Of fatal accidents in Colorado, 35 percent in 2017 were speeding related*. Speeding puts you and other drivers at risk. The rise in fatal accidents can partially be linked to simply driving too fast. Remember to stay within the posted speed limits. It's better to be late than in an accident. (*citation 7)

5. Sober Driving - Driving under the influence increases your risk of a car accident or arrest. Roughly, 33% of U.S. car accident fatalities involve drunk drivers*. Don't forget that cannabis and some prescription medications count as impaired driving. (*citation 6)

6. Adhere to Traffic Signals - The AAA Foundation reports that 28% of car accident fatalities that occur at a traffic signal are due to running a red light*. It's simple to reduce the risk. Just stop. (*citation 8)

References:

1. https://quotewizard.com/news/posts/dangerous-roads-during-covid-19

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4162731/

3. https://www.codot.gov/safety/distracteddriving

4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15642817/

5. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/seatbeltuse/index.html

6. https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/vision-zero/2019-report.html

7. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/car-insurance/drunk-driving-statistics/

8. https://www.colorado.aaa.com/news/red-light-running-deaths-hit-10-year-high

About the Colorado Optometric Association (COA):

The Colorado Optometric Association (COA) is the professional organization of optometrists in Colorado. Over 600 Colorado Doctors of Optometry are voluntary members of the Association. COA has also launched a public health campaign called 2020 Eyes Colorado ( https://2020eyescolorado.org/ ).

Since 1892, the COA has assisted its members in providing the highest standard of professional care to their patients by sponsoring continuing education programs for doctors, advocating in local and state governments for programs and laws that represent patients' best interests, and providing information for the public. For more information, please visit http://www.visioncare.org/ or call 303-863-9778.

The Colorado Optometric Association's doctors of optometry are speaking out this month about dangerous driving in the state. Colorado optometrists are seeing a problem rising on the roads that impact more than just eye health. Fatal car accidents across Colorado have increased over the course of the pandemic even though less miles were driven.

Related link: https://colorado.aoa.org/

Two ACES Quality Management executives selected by MPA Magazine for its annual Elite Women Awards program

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced Amanda Phillips, executive vice president of compliance, and Sharon Reichhardt, executive vice president of operations, have been selected by Mortgage Professional America (MPA) in its 2021 Elite Women Awards program.

Phillips serves as ACES' in-house subject matter expert. She plays a key role in ACES' ability to provide banks with better control over their loan quality, expanding banks' capacity for auditing their organization by increasing audit speeds by more than 50% and improving revenue retention by providing better visibility across multiple lines of business. In less than a year, Phillips launched four major compliance initiatives aimed at improving the quality of existing and new ACES products to better serve clients, expanded the compliance team and established new procedures and workflows to maintain the integrity of ACES' compliance products and efficiency in product updates and releases.

Reichhardt's role at ACES centers on solving problems and finding ways for lender clients to use technology to do better, safer, more efficient business. As a natural teacher, Reichhardt doesn't merely solve problems, but rather provides everyone with a marketable skill set for reducing risk and preventing loss. Under Reichhardt's direction, the Client Success team uses a direct, hands-on approach focused on listening to clients, observing their work activities and understanding their unique footprint and target goals. They guide implementations and perform professional service engagements, maintaining strong bi-directional communication that assures each client is maximizing usage of the ACES platform.

"A key ingredient to a successful organization is amazing people; Amanda and Sharon are a prime example of this. They each bring a unique level of expertise to the ACES team," said Trevor Gauthier, CEO of ACES. "They are respected professionals, regularly speaking on behalf of ACES and contributors within and outside of ACES. We're all extremely proud of Amanda and Sharon for their achievements."

Prior to joining ACES, Phillips served as counsel with Ballard Spahr, LLP, where her responsibilities included advising clients on the federal and state regulatory requirements governing mortgage lending, fintech, mortgage documents, business processes and practices. Before her time at Ballard Spahr, she spent six years as in-house counsel and executive vice president of legal and regulatory compliance for Accenture Mortgage Cadence and an additional five years as senior vice president and director of compliance for a national mortgage lender.

Reichhardt has created virtually every position she has held by identifying unmet needs, developing a repeatable process that successfully solves those needs and creating the infrastructure that could scale with as opportunities and operations grew. Prior to joining ACES, Reichhardt was a strategic reporting and technology manager at EverBank.

The MPA Elite Women Awards program seeks to honor current and future leaders of the housing and mortgage industries. To view the full list of 2021 honorees, visit: https://www.mpamag.com/us/best-in-mortgage/elite-women-2021/319778#winnersListSection

About ACES Quality Management

ACES Quality Management, formerly known as ACES Risk Management (ARMCO), is the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry. The nation's most prominent lenders, servicers and financial institutions rely on ACES Quality Management & Control® Software to improve audit throughput and quality while controlling costs, including:
* 3 of the top 5 and more than 50% of the top 50 independent mortgage lenders;
* 7 of the top 10 loan servicers;
* 11 of the top 30 banks; and
* 1 of the top 3 credit unions in the USA.

Unlike other quality control platforms, only ACES delivers Flexible Audit Technology, which gives independent mortgage lenders and financial institutions the ability to easily manage and customize ACES to meet their business needs without having to rely on IT or other outside resources. Using a customer-centric approach, ACES clients get responsive support and access to our experts to maximize their investment. For more information, visit https://www.acesquality.com/ or call 1-800-858-1598.

About Mortgage Professional America

A publication of Key Media, Mortgage Professional America (MPA) delivers news, opinion and analysis to mortgage, real estate and finance industry professionals through its bi-monthly magazine and daily email newsletter. For more information, visit http://www.mpamag.com/.

ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced Amanda Phillips, executive vice president of compliance, and Sharon Reichhardt, executive vice president of operations, have been selected by Mortgage Professional America (MPA) in its 2021 Elite Women Awards program.

Related link: https://www.acesquality.com/

Winners Announced for Second Annual Colorado Youth Art Contest

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- 2020 Eyes Colorado and the Colorado Optometric Association (COA) announce the winners of the Second Annual Youth Art Contest. Students grades 1-12 were invited to submit 2D artwork while reflecting on the value of their eyesight through the theme, "My Future Vision." The goal of the competition was to engage Colorado students in understanding the value of their eyesight and their own eye health. The COA sponsored public health campaign, 2020 Eyes Colorado, seeks to increase eye health awareness throughout Colorado communities.

87 Colorado students submitted paintings, drawings, digital art, and photography from all over the state. Many participants shared powerful insights on vision that will inspire other students to understand the value of their own eyesight.

Lexi Jay, Pine Creek High School Senior and first-place winner of her age group says, "In this piece, I hope to express the vibrancy and beauty that color has brought into my life and how it illuminates a dark world with its everlasting elegance. In my art, I use color to express my innermost feelings, allowing the small shifts in hues to tell a story that pictures and words simply could not portray. The art I create seeks to explain this complex narrative and thus I could not do what I love most without the tools delegated to me by my eyes."

One winner from each age group was selected based on scoring from the judging panel. Prizes include a $200 donation to each winner's public school, the high school winner receives an iPad Pro, the middle school winner receives a SketchBox Premium Subscription, and the elementary winner receives a Green Kids Craft Subscription Box.

The Second Annual Youth Art Contest Winners:

Winner Grades 9-12:

Lexi Jay, Pine Creek High School

Winner Grades 6-8:

Avery Reynolds, Boltz Middle School

Winner Grades 1-5:

Bernice Tan, Willow Creek Elementary School & Artistic Fox Studio

*View artwork submissions and the complete list of winners and honorable mentions here - https://2020eyescolorado.org/art-contest/.

Entries were scored by local Colorado artists; Matthew Lit, photographer, designer and educator; Alexis Davina, fine arts and portraiture; and Dr. Matt Buchanan, a Colorado optometrist.

"The heart and imagination in the entries this year was inspiring. It's an honor to be a judge, and a privilege to witness the vision and hope these kids have for their futures," said Alexis Davina.

Matt Litt explains, "The second year of this contest saw many great entries including some particularly creative art from the younger grade students. It is a pleasure and an honor to have judged this year's contest."

Stay tuned for the Third Annual Youth Art Competition in 2022.

About the Colorado Optometric Association (COA):

The Colorado Optometric Association (COA) is the professional organization of optometrists in Colorado. Over 600 Colorado Doctors of Optometry are voluntary members of the Association. COA has also launched a public health campaign titled 2020 Eyes Colorado ( https://2020eyescolorado.org/ ).

Since 1892, the COA has assisted its members in providing the highest standard of professional care to their patients by sponsoring continuing education programs for doctors, advocating in local and state governments for programs and laws that represent patients' best interests, and providing information for the public. For more information, please visit http://www.visioncare.org/ or call 303-863-9778.

2020 Eyes Colorado and the Colorado Optometric Association (COA) announce the winners of the Second Annual Youth Art Contest. Students grades 1-12 were invited to submit 2D artwork while reflecting on the value of their eyesight through the theme, "My Future Vision."

Related link: https://colorado.aoa.org/

Retail Kiosk and Digital Signage News for Dec. 2021 from Industry Group & Kiosk Association (KMA)

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- December news from the Industry Group. Retail Kiosk News - NRF in New York January - We will be showcasing accessibility in counter and floor-standing models for the customer-operated POS space. See some of the same technology used by McDonald's.

Also, to be announced at the show is whether award finalist candidate PopID wins in the Best Payment Innovation category. The formal awards presentation and dinner is Saturday night. Fingers crossed.

Here is our official page on NRF site - https://nrfbigshow.nrf.com/company/kiosk-association-kma

Digital Signage News - We are an official Association sponsor for DSE 2022. Las Vegas in March. A chance to see the new LED Fine Pitch renovation for the LVCC. Be sure and use KMA50 as coupon to get your discount.

Craig Keefner, manager of the Industry Group said, "Interactive digital signage projects have been increasing every year from large wayfinding to spectacular convention center signage to smart city deployments to drive-thru menu boards. Half of the RFPs in our space are digital signage related. Expanded coverage and deeper involvement in signage makes sense for our sponsors. We are happy to follow the lead of other respected groups such as Peerless-AV, Sixteen-Nine and TSI Touch in supporting this specific next-generation digital signage tradeshow that the industry deserves."

KMA also recently joined the Digital Signage Federation.

ARTICLES THIS MONTH:

* Digital Signage Tradeshow - KMA Sponsors and Exhibits at DSE 2022

* Restaurant Market Report by Square (36 pages) By The Numbers

* Interactive Digital Wayfinding Kiosk - Colony Square 22Miles - Video

* Self-Check Hearing Screening Kiosks Going Into Giant Eagle

* Automated Pizza Kiosks Coming to San Antonio

* USPS Self-Service Kiosk Video - 2021

* Kiosk Association now a member of Digital Signage Federation

* Market Research NRF Special - POS/mPOS ISV Report

* Redbox Digital Signage Rolling Out to 4000 Redbox Kiosks

* Retail Kiosk - Amazon Go Starbucks in NYC Video Walk-Thru

* NRF Kiosk & Digital Signage - Preview and Tips for Retail Kiosk Show

* NRF Kiosk - Evoke Best Customer Experience Award Candidate

* Kohls EV Charging Station 2021 & Self Checkout

* NRF 2022 Kiosk - Visit Pyramid

MORE INFORMATION:

For more information contact Craig Keefner, 720-324-1837 or craig@catareno.com or you can visit Kiosk Industry. Since 1996 for 25 years serving the self-service technology market. For a complete list of verticals visit The Industry Group.

LEARN MORE:

https://kioskindustry.org/

https://industrygroup.org/

December news from the Industry Group. Retail Kiosk News - NRF in New York January - We will be showcasing accessibility in counter and floor-standing models for the customer-operated POS space. See some of the same technology used by McDonald's.

Related link: https://kioskindustry.org/

Critical defect rate increases 13% Q2 2021, according to ACES Quality Management Mortgage QC Industry Trends Report

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced the release of its quarterly ACES Mortgage QC Trends Report covering the second quarter (Q2) of 2021. The latest report provides an analysis of post-closing quality control data derived from ACES Quality Management & Control® software.

Notable findings from the Q2 2021 report include:

* A 13% increase in the overall critical defect rate to 2.27%, ending a multi-quarter trend of improvement;

* The continued dominance of the Income/Employment defect category, which reached its highest observed rate since the inception of this report in 2016;

* Improvement in some of the core underwriting categories as well as in manufacturing-related categories, most likely driven by more predictable and stable volumes;

* A significant shift in reviews of refinance versus purchase transactions, further signaling that the transition from a refinance market to a purchase market is well underway;

* Increased share and improved performance for conventional loans; and

* A decline in Early Payment Defaults ("EPDs"), indicating that reviews have peaked and are now below pre-pandemic levels.

"Several factors contributed to the increase in the critical defect rate to 2.27% in Q2 of 2021, including the transition from a refinance market to a purchase market, the previous quarter's falling margins, eviction moratorium uncertainty and rising inflation," said ACES Executive Vice President Nick Volpe. "As the market continues to transition to primarily purchase transactions, lenders should expect continued volatility over the next few quarters and, therefore, keep a close watch on defects for the foreseeable future."

Findings for the Q2 2021 ACES Mortgage QC Industry Trends Report are based on post-closing quality control data derived from the ACES Quality Management and Control® benchmarking system and incorporate data from prior quarters and/or calendar years, where applicable. All reviews and defect data evaluated for the report were based on loan audits selected by lenders for full file reviews.

"While the increase in the critical defect rate was disappointing, there are several silver linings to our Q2 findings, including volume stabilization and declining unemployment numbers. These, combined with other economic factors, provide some optimism for the coming quarters, though the possible effect of inflation on interest rates may dampen that outlook," said ACES CEO, Trevor Gauthier. "Given the uncertainty of 2022's market and increasing regulatory pressures, lenders must ensure their existing QC and compliance programs are leveraging automation to maximize loan quality and mitigate risk."

Mortgage QC Industry Trends Reports are available for download, free of charge, at https://www.acesquality.com/resources/reports.

About ACES Quality Management

ACES Quality Management, formerly known as ACES Risk Management (ARMCO), is the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry. The nation's most prominent lenders, servicers and financial institutions rely on ACES Quality Management & Control Software® to improve audit throughput and quality while controlling costs, including:

* 3 of the top 5 and more than 50% of the top 50 independent mortgage lenders;

* 7 of the top 10 loan servicers;

* 11 of the top 30 banks; and

* 1 of the top 3 credit unions in the USA.

Unlike other quality control platforms, only ACES delivers Flexible Audit Technology, which gives independent mortgage lenders and financial institutions the ability to easily manage and customize ACES to meet their business needs without having to rely on IT or other outside resources. Using a customer-centric approach, ACES clients get responsive support and access to our experts to maximize their investment. For more information, visit https://www.acesquality.com/ or call 1-800-858-1598.

ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced the release of its quarterly ACES Mortgage QC Trends Report covering the second quarter (Q2) of 2021.

Related link: https://www.acesquality.com/

National Buyers Agents Association Releases Guide on How to get Young Adults to Listen to their Parents about Buying a House

EVERGREEN, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- The National Buyers Agents Association just released a guide for parents and grandparents who want to advise younger people about using a buyers agent. The association often gets calls from older people who have become convinced that a buyers agent is critical for their family member's success in home buying, but don't know how to best communicate that to their child or grandchild. A discussion of the guide airs this Saturday December 11th on KHOW 630am at 8:00 am MST and repeats January 1st, 2022

The written summary of the guide may be found on the association's website at https://buyeragentsearch.com/national-buyers-agents-guide-for-parents-on-buying-a-house.

Studies show that older adults can play a very beneficial role in their child's success if there is a right connection between the two generations. The guide takes a close look at why young adults are resistant to advice, and how well-meaning elders can get their attention. Understandably, younger people want to make their own decisions. The approach must be one that intrigues them rather than lectures them on what to do.

A top way to get their attention is make sure they feel in control. They must feel that their parent or grandparent has a resource that could highly benefit them. Kathleen Chiras, the association manager says, "The younger generations want to know how a buyer's agent can save them substantial amounts of money or time. They also typically want an agent who is close to their own age. If those things are not immediately apparent, they are not interested."

Tom Coler, a broker working in Southern Florida says, ""Now more than ever, with inventory 80% below what it was last year, buyers need the protection of a buyer's agent".

The association recommends that all potential buyers get a free consultation with two to three buyer's agents who specialize in the buyer's area of interest. Most buyer's agents will work within an hour's drive of their home or main office.

With over 1.4 million licensed real estate agents in the US, the association only admits into membership those who have at least 3 years of experience and who have expertise in buyer agency. They must also be highly rated and reviewed. Members are accountable both to the buyer and to the association, and they agree to provide fiduciary agency services. Immediate access to a list of association members may be found at https://buyeragentsearch.com/find-a-buyers-agent/.

The association recently had a request from a parent, Wendy Smith, who wanted her first time home-buying daughter to consider using a Denver buyer's agent for her purchase of a million dollar property.

She could not get her daughter's attention until she said, "Hey Kara, you could save thousands of dollars! They can give you some choices of agents who are your age and who have great reviews". At that point Kara decided it was worth a call to the association to explore her options.

The association provides free access to agents and live staff to answer questions. Real estate agent members have at least 3 to 5 years of experience. Members are typically broker/owners or agents under the supervision of a highly experienced manager. Many have special credentials on the real estate buying side, including a designation endorsed by the National Association of Realtors(r) called "Accredited Buyer Representative".

Tools are provided at the association's website to evaluate the agent's designations, along with their education, experience, and negotiation skills. Many of the association members are accredited or exclusive buyer's agents. There are approximately 1400 top agents located in all 50 states.

LEARN MORE:

https://buyeragentsearch.com/

https://buyeragentsearch.com/associations-and-real-estate-agents/

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL:

http://www.youtube.com/user/kchiras

https://business.facebook.com/buyeragents/

https://twitter.com/KathleenChiras

https://www.instagram.com/buyeragentsearch/

MULTIMEDIA

VIDEO (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h6SQQlmU3g

The National Buyers Agents Association just released a guide for parents and grandparents who want to advise younger people about using a buyers agent. The association often gets calls from older people who have become convinced that a buyers agent is critical for their family member's success in home buying, but don't know how to best communicate that to their child or grandchild.

Related link: https://buyeragentsearch.com/

ACES Quality Management Partners with Financial Services RegTech Provider Winnow Solutions

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced it has partnered with Winnow Solutions to power certain compliance and regulatory operations within ACES through its RegTech platform Winnow®. An innovative and dynamic financial law database built by attorneys and powered by cutting-edge technology, Winnow takes the guesswork out of compliance by instantaneously identifying regulatory requirements applicable to specific institution types and products. The addition of Winnow's comprehensive database helps ensure ACES continues to provide its users with the most accurate and up-to-date information on state regulations.

"Maintaining compliance with all applicable rules and regulations is one of the most critical outcomes of lenders' quality control processes. However, managing the sheer volume of regulatory requirements from both the state and federal level can overwhelm even the most seasoned, well-staffed compliance team, which ultimately puts loan quality in jeopardy and exposes organizations to unnecessary risk," said ACES President and Chief Operating Officer Phillip McCall. "Because it was incubated inside of one of the industry's preeminent legal advisory firms, Winnow serves as a powerful resource for tracking compliance changes at all levels, and we are thrilled to leverage the extensive Winnow regulatory database to enhance the compliance support ACES delivers to our clients."

Winnow covers state laws and regulations specific to the full lifecycle of mortgage, auto, credit card, consumer and commercial-purpose lending and financing. The platform also includes generally applicable requirements that impact the lending and servicing of these products, including such topics as marketing and advertising, debt collection, telemarketing, notary requirements, electronic signatures and documents, powers of attorney and privacy/data security. With Winnow, subscribers can instantaneously and intuitively create a survey of laws based on any of these topics, export the results to their chosen file format, and save them to receive tailored updates of law changes.

"Operating or scaling a financial services company is highly difficult, even under the best of circumstances. Add on the constant change of regulatory requirements, and it becomes even more daunting. That's why a trusted partner like ACES is crucial for speeding up the audit and approval process," said Chris Hilliard, Chief Operating Officer and a Founder of Winnow Solutions, LLC. "We're delighted that ACES has chosen Winnow to power its compliance research, allowing it to deliver even more value to its customers. ACES has an excellent reputation as an industry leader in the QC space, and we deeply appreciate the trust it has placed in us."

About Winnow Solutions

Winnow Solutions, LLC is the developer of Winnow ®, a database-driven, RegTech platform that provides subscribers with accurate topic-driven surveys and automated compliance change management. Winnow catalogues over 45,000 individual state law requirements maintained by an experienced team of specialized attorneys and professionals. Winnow subscribers build highly tailored state law compliance surveys unique to their business type, licensing, financial products and jurisdictions, with federal law surveys coming soon. Winnow Solutions, LLC is a subsidiary of Buckley LLP, a law firm that focuses on financial services, government enforcement, and litigation, and that has been recognized as "The best at what they do in the country" by Chambers USA. For more information, visit https://www.winnow.law or call 1-888-488-6797.

About ACES Quality Management

ACES Quality Management, formerly known as ACES Risk Management (ARMCO), is the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry. The nation's most prominent lenders, servicers and financial institutions rely on ACES Quality Management & Control Software® to improve audit throughput and quality while controlling costs, including:

* 3 of the top 5 and more than 50% of the top 50 independent mortgage lenders;

* 7 of the top 10 loan servicers;

* 11 of the top 30 banks; and

* 1 of the top 3 credit unions in the USA.

Unlike other quality control platforms, only ACES delivers Flexible Audit Technology, which gives independent mortgage lenders and financial institutions the ability to easily manage and customize ACES to meet their business needs without having to rely on IT or other outside resources. Using a customer-centric approach, ACES clients get responsive support and access to our experts to maximize their investment.

For more information, visit http://www.acesquality.com/ or call 1-800-858-1598.

ACES Quality Management® (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced it has partnered with Winnow Solutions to power certain compliance and regulatory operations within ACES through its RegTech platform Winnow®.

Related link: https://www.acesquality.com/

Kiosk News from Industry Group and Kiosk Manufacturer Association (KMA) for Nov. 2021

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- November news from the Industry Group and Kiosk Association. Events and Features This Month: First Responder Lockers and Kiosk; Bill Payment Kiosk Review; and McDonalds Deploys Accessibility to self-order kiosks.

Events and Features This Month

* First Responder Lockers and Kiosk -- Our feature story on innovative new public safety lockers and kiosks from CR+M. The CR+M digital kiosk stores five CR+M belts, each containing five STOP THE BLEED® kits as well as a breaching tool and a ballistic shield. The units also provide a highly valuable real-time digital bulletin board, branding and advertising tool.

* Bill Payment Kiosk Review - an onsite review, photo gallery and discussion of 2021 payment stations used in retail telecom stores such as AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Xfinity Comcast.

* McDonalds Deploys Accessibility to self-order kiosks -- McDonalds will deploy accessibility to all owned stores by the end of the year and any new deployments to franchise stores will come with accessibility included. Featured is the integration of the JAWS screen reader and the AudioPad hardware assistive technology.

NRF in New York January -- We will be showcasing accessibility in multiple form factors and in the POS space. As part of the show, the KMA and Datacap Systems have nominated PopID in the Best Payment Innovation award category. As of September 2021, PopID announced that more than 100 restaurants and retail brands now accept PopPay throughout Southern California with around 70,000 registered users and more than four million facial authentications.

On September 7, 2021, PopID announced they plan to go national. Recently, Wendy's in Japan announced a rollout of facial payment technology by PopID. It takes less than 30 seconds to vote. Please vote for PopID at: https://usvendorawards.awardsplatform.com/entry/vote/bnJKmLPa?keywords=PopID&chapter=&category=95290

ARTICLES THIS MONTH

* First Responder Kiosk - Emergency Supply Lockers for "Stop the Bleed"

* Bill Pay Kiosks Review 2021 - AT&T Bill Pay, Verizon, T-Mobile, Xfinity Comcast

* Cashierless Store Kiosks - Starbucks and Amazon Go

* Facial Payment - PopID and SoftBank to Launch PopPay In Japan - Wendy's

* New Kiosk Model From Evoke Creative Supplier for McDonalds

* Retail Market Research IoT Impact 2021 - The Digital Transformation

* Digital Signage Case Study - Westin dvLED Peerless-AV, NovMega, LG in Canada

For more information contact Craig Keefner, 720-324-1837 or craig@catareno.com or you can visit https://kioskindustry.org/.

Since 1996 for 25 years serving the self-service technology market. For a complete list of verticals visit The Industry Group, at https://industrygroup.org/.

November news from the Industry Group and Kiosk Association. Events and Features This Month: First Responder Lockers and Kiosk; Bill Payment Kiosk Review; and McDonalds Deploys Accessibility to self-order kiosks.

Related link: https://kioskindustry.org/

New Blog Series from National Buyers Agents Association Provides Free Real Estate Guidance

EVERGREEN, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- The National Buyers Agents Association just completed a blog series that educates potential home buyers about buying or selling real estate in the next three months. Special consideration is given to how to handle the escalating prices of homes.

December is an excellent month for buying in colder states because sellers are typically more willing to negotiate on price. On the other hand, inventory is typically lower. In January, inventory increases and continues to do so throughout the spring. However, the series encourages every home buyer and seller to only buy or sell when it is the right time for them.

The series of informative articles may be found here: https://buyeragentsearch.com/blog/

The association recommends that all potential buyers get a free consultation with two to three buyer's agents who specialize in the buyer's area of interest. Most buyer's agents will work within an hour's drive of their home or main office.

There are over 1.4 million licensed real estate agents in the US. The association only admits into membership those who have at least 3 years of experience, and who have excellent track records, ratings and reviews. Members are accountable both to the buyer and to the association, and they agree to provide fiduciary agency services. These agents are honest about the current seller's market in their area, and provide free consultations.

The blog series includes up-to-date insights from the weekly Consumers Real Estate radio program that airs between 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. on KHOW630.

Kathleen Chiras, the association's manager, is a regular guest on this show. She says, "This blog resource is useful for all homebuyers who are struggling to find the most efficient way to navigate the current strong seller's market. A list of qualified buyers agents for a specific city or town may be found at the association's website, buyeragentsearch.com."

The association recently had a request from a Los Angeles buyer who is interested in moving to the paradise-like climate of Los Altos, Calif., south of San Francisco. He is willing to pay $1-2 million dollars for 1-2 acres of vacant land where he can have a garden and build a home. However, the exclusive buyer's agent in that area, Barbara Delantoni, honestly responded, "I don't have high hopes for 1-2 acres in this area for that price". The association checked out her assertation and shockingly, found it to be true. Sometimes association staff or their member agents must give potential buyers a bit of enlightenment about the low inventory and high prices in many areas of the U.S.

Some people need to sell in order to buy, but do not wish to sell until they know they can buy. The blog outlines effective ways of interviewing both buyer agents and seller agents to coordinate this sort of transaction.

Allen Weidman, a prospective buyer for a home purchase Beaufort North Carolina recently chose one of the 3 agents provided to him by the association. His written feedback to the association was: "Jim is professional, knowledgeable and experienced. We could not have done this from +350 miles away without him."

The series gives quality information on how to select an agent. A 10-point question and answer sheet is provided. The most important attribute of a buyer's agent is his or her negotiation skills, and the most important attribute of a seller's agent is his or her marketing skills. Real estate agent members have at least 3 to 5 years of experience. Members are typically broker/owners or agents under the supervision of a highly experienced manager. Some are buyer or seller specialists within an experienced team.

Articles in the blog encourage real estate consumers to evaluate the agent's designations, education, experience, and skills. Many of the association members are accredited or exclusive buyer's agents. The association has a membership of approximately 1400 top agents. These agents are located in all 50 states. Many are interviewed on the association's YouTube channel.

LEARN MORE:

https://buyeragentsearch.com/

https://buyeragentsearch.com/associations-and-real-estate-agents/

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL:

http://www.youtube.com/user/kchiras

https://business.facebook.com/buyeragents/

https://twitter.com/KathleenChiras

https://www.instagram.com/buyeragentsearch/

MULTIMEDIA

VIDEO (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h6SQQlmU3g

The National Buyers Agents Association just completed a blog series that educates potential home buyers about buying or selling real estate in the next three months. Special consideration is given to how to handle the escalating prices of homes.

Related link: https://buyeragentsearch.com/

Colorado Buyers Association Publishes an Essential Guide for Home Buyers

EVERGREEN, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Colorado Exclusive Buyer Agent Association (CEBAA) just released a free guide in collaboration with the national association that includes five essential homebuying checklists for buyers and sellers who intend to purchase property in the United States. The guide will be discussed by CEBAA's association manager, Katheen Chiras, at a guest appearance on the Consumers Real Estate radio program this Saturday November 6, 2021. The show airs between 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. on KHOW630.

The guide includes the following checklists that help home buyers assess: 1) reasons for buying a home 2) support networks 3) advantages of different types of property 4) homebuyer needs verses wants and 5) agent representation.

The guide may be found at: https://buyeragentsearch.com/buyers-agents-home-buying-checklists/.

Interested parties may visit https://homebuyerscolorado.org/find-buyers-agent to see the many resources offered to buyers hoping to purchase in Colorado.

The guide is a handy resource for first-time homebuyers, who are struggling to find the most efficient way to navigate the current strong seller's market in Colorado and elsewhere. According to the weekly radio show, home prices have remained steady over the past few weeks, after many months of escalating prices. The median price of a single-family home in Denver is over $600,000 and the median price in Colorado Springs at typically about $100,000 to $150,000 less The number of houses that buyers and their agents are putting under contract was consistent from the first of August to the end of July.

Some people need to sell in order to buy, so the guide also includes effective ways of interviewing both buyer agents and seller agents. CEBAA has an inquiry form which allows potential home buyers to have immediate access to a list of qualified exclusive and accredited buyer agents. The markets analyzed include Colorado Springs and Denver.

The guide makes it apparent that one of the most important attributes of a buyer's agent is negotiation skills, and for seller's agents the main attribute is marketing skills. It is recommended that a real estate agent have at least 3 to 5 years of experience to be qualified. Additionally, both buyers and sellers also may wish to assess the agent's designations, education, experience, and skills.

The guide also highlights the best timeline to buy or sell real estate. Statistically, May and June are the times that most homes are getting under contract. However, December is an excellent month for buying because in Colorado sellers are typically more willing to negotiate on price in this cold winter month. On the other hand, the guide also points out the fact that every home buyer and seller should only buy and sell when it is the right time for them.

The website posts the experience of a recent home buyer who used a CEBAA agent: "He took the extra time, the extra work, to help us find the 100% perfect house. We have a better house with a better neighborhood and better schools."

The Colorado association has agent members who do not list property, called exclusive buyer agents. The association also has affiliated fiduciary agents who are vetted and reviewed by the association.

There are also many home buying or selling tips found on its website, and as well as linked access to the National Buyers Agent Association website located at https://BuyerAgentSearch.com/.

The Colorado Exclusive Buyer Agent Association (CEBAA) just released a free guide in collaboration with the national association that includes five essential homebuying checklists for buyers and sellers who intend to purchase property in the United States. The guide will be discussed by CEBAA's association manager, Katheen Chiras, at a guest appearance on the Consumers Real Estate radio program November 6, 2021.

Related link: https://homebuyerscolorado.org/

ACES Quality Management announces ACES ENGAGE, a two-day conference defining the future of quality management and control for the financial services industry

DENVER, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- ACES Quality Management™ (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced the launch of ACES ENGAGE, a conference designed to bring together the nation's top financial services quality management professionals to discuss industry trends and best practices.

ACES ENGAGE will provide attendees the unique opportunity to learn from industry experts and thought leaders, network and leave with the knowledge necessary to increase efficiencies, improve productivity and further quality at their organizations. Sessions will include a mixture of general session presentations, panel discussions and breakout session tracks for mortgage lending, loan servicing and consumer lending.

"Historically, we've hosted our ACES Power User Summit to help our clients extract additional value from the ACES platform, but a unique byproduct of that event was the interaction between clients in sharing best practices and discussing industry trends. For 2022, we wanted to include a broader swath of financial services risk and quality management professionals and facilitate a more fulsome discussion of the issues these institutions face," said CEO Trevor Gauthier. "With ACES ENGAGE, our goal is to create an environment in which each attendee leaves inspired and full of ideas to improve their businesses, whether or not they are an ACES user."

ACES ENGAGE 2022 will take place at the historic Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs on May 23-25, 2022. Featured speakers include Aron Ralston, author of the New York Times bestseller, 'Between a Rock and a Hard Place' and the subject of the Oscar-nominated film '127 Hours,' and Steve Spies, president of SWS Risk Advisory LLC. As a former risk and quality control executive at Fannie Mae, Spies was the primary author of Fannie Mae's manifesto on loan manufacturing quality.

Registration for ACES ENGAGE is open now, with early bird pricing available until December 31, 2021. Register to attend and learn more at https://www.acesquality.com/aces-engage-2022

About ACES Quality Management

ACES Quality Management, formerly known as ACES Risk Management (ARMCO), is the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry. The nation's most prominent lenders, servicers and financial institutions rely on ACES Quality Management & Control Software™ to improve audit throughput and quality while controlling costs, including:

* 3 of the top 5 and more than 50% of the top 50 independent mortgage lenders;

* 7 of the top 10 loan servicers;

* 11 of the top 30 banks; and

* 1 of the top 3 credit unions in the USA.

Unlike other quality control platforms, only ACES delivers Flexible Audit Technology, which gives independent mortgage lenders and financial institutions the ability to easily manage and customize ACES to meet their business needs without having to rely on IT or other outside resources. Using a customer-centric approach, ACES clients get responsive support and access to our experts to maximize their investment. For more information, visit https://www.acesquality.com/ or call 1-800-858-1598.

ACES Quality Management™ (ACES), the leading provider of enterprise quality management and control software for the financial services industry, announced the launch of ACES ENGAGE, a conference designed to bring together the nation's top financial services quality management professionals to discuss industry trends and best practices.

Related link: https://www.acesquality.com/